How To Fix MA290 - Member of product group/characteristic & locked by another user

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: MA - Sales and Operations Planning

• Message number: 290

• Message text: Member of product group/characteristic & locked by another user

What causes this issue?

The product group member or characteristic that you have attempted to
maintain is currently being processed by another user.

System Response

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

How to fix this error?

Try again later.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message MA290 - Member of product group/characteristic & locked by another user ?

  The SAP error message MA290 indicates that a member of a product group or characteristic is locked by another user. This typically occurs in the context of SAP's Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) or Variant Configuration (VC) modules, where multiple users may be trying to access or modify the same data simultaneously.
  Cause:
  
  Concurrent Access: Another user is currently editing or has locked the characteristic or product group you are trying to access.
  Session Timeout: A previous session may not have released the lock properly due to a timeout or unexpected termination.
  System Configuration: The system may be configured to enforce strict locking mechanisms to prevent data inconsistencies.
  
  Solution:
  
  Wait and Retry: If another user is editing the characteristic, you may need to wait until they finish and release the lock. You can try again after some time.
  Identify the Locking User: Use transaction codes like SM12 (for lock entries) to identify which user has locked the characteristic or product group. You can then communicate with that user to coordinate access.
  Release the Lock: If you have the necessary authorizations, you can manually delete the lock entry in SM12. However, this should be done with caution and ideally after confirming with the user who holds the lock.
  Check for Background Jobs: Sometimes, background jobs may hold locks. Check if any jobs are running that might be causing the lock.
  System Restart: In rare cases, a system restart may be necessary to clear persistent locks, but this should be done as a last resort and typically requires coordination with your SAP Basis team.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as SM12 (to view and manage lock entries), SM21 (to check system logs), and ST22 (to check for dumps).
  User Communication: Establish a protocol for users to communicate when they are working on shared characteristics or product groups to minimize locking issues.
  Training: Ensure that users are trained on how to properly exit transactions to avoid leaving locks in place unintentionally.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any known issues or patches related to locking behavior in your specific version of SAP.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the MA290 error and minimize its occurrence in the future.