How To Fix MA702 - Not enough historical values for initialization

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: MA - Sales and Operations Planning

• Message number: 702

• Message text: Not enough historical values for initialization

What causes this issue?

You have tried to run the forecast with an insufficient number of
historical values for the chosen forecast model.

System Response

The forecast model cannot be initialized with this number of historical
values.

How to fix this error?

Reconsider whether forecasting is suitable for this key figure.
If you decide that it is, check the number of historical values
necessary for initialization of your forecast model in the table below.
Make any necessary changes.
Now start the forecast again.

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

Model,,Number of historical values
Constant,,1
Trend,,3
Seasonal,,1 season
Seasonal trend,,1 season + 3
2nd-order exp. smoothing,,3
Moving average,,1
Weighted moving average,,1

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message MA702 - Not enough historical values for initialization ?

  The SAP error message MA702, which states "Not enough historical values for initialization," typically occurs in the context of Material Management (MM) or Production Planning (PP) modules when the system is trying to initialize a forecast or planning run but lacks sufficient historical data to do so.
  Cause:
  
  
  Insufficient Historical Data: The primary cause of this error is that the system does not have enough historical data points for the material or product in question. This can happen if:
  
  The material has just been created and has no historical sales or consumption data.
  The historical data has been deleted or archived.
  The time period for which the historical data is required is not populated.
  
  
  
  Configuration Issues: There may be issues with the configuration of the forecasting or planning settings that require a certain amount of historical data to perform calculations.
  
  
  Data Selection Parameters: The parameters set for data selection (like the time frame) may be too restrictive, leading to insufficient data being available for the initialization process.
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Historical Data: Ensure that there is sufficient historical data for the material. You can do this by:
  
  Reviewing the sales history or consumption data for the material.
  Checking the relevant tables (like MSEG, VBAK, etc.) to see if data exists.
  
  
  
  Adjust Time Frame: If the time frame for historical data is too narrow, consider adjusting it to include a broader range of data. This can be done in the forecasting settings.
  
  
  Data Maintenance: If the material is new, you may need to wait until enough data is collected or manually input some initial data to allow the system to perform the initialization.
  
  
  Configuration Review: Review the configuration settings for the forecasting or planning process to ensure they are set up correctly. This may involve checking the settings in transaction codes like MC87 (for forecasting) or other relevant configuration transactions.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for specific guidance on the initialization process for your version of SAP.
  
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this issue or provide additional troubleshooting steps.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with transaction codes related to forecasting and planning, such as MC87 (Forecasting) or MD61 (Create Forecast).
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community or forums where other users may have encountered similar issues and can provide insights or solutions.
  Support: If the issue persists, consider reaching out to SAP support for assistance, especially if it is impacting business operations.
  
  By addressing the underlying causes and ensuring that sufficient historical data is available, you should be able to resolve the MA702 error and proceed with your planning or forecasting activities.