How To Fix MA710 - OTB was exceeded for the following combinations of characteristics:

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: MA - Sales and Operations Planning

• Message number: 710

• Message text: OTB was exceeded for the following combinations of characteristics:

What causes this issue?

A check for OTB has been carried out in the purchase order.
The system issues a list that contains all characteristic combinations
in the OTB Information structure for which the OTB limit was exceeded.
Please see the standard analysis for more information on OTB.

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

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message MA710 - OTB was exceeded for the following combinations of characteristics: ?

  The SAP error message MA710 indicates that the "Order Target Balance (OTB)" has been exceeded for specific combinations of characteristics in the context of SAP's Material Management (MM) or Production Planning (PP) modules. This error typically arises when the system detects that the planned or actual quantities for a particular product variant exceed the allowed limits defined in the system.
  Cause:
  
  Exceeding Target Values: The most common cause is that the planned order or production order exceeds the target balance set for a specific combination of characteristics (like size, color, etc.) in the configuration.
  Incorrect Configuration: There may be an issue with the configuration of the product variants or characteristics in the system.
  Data Entry Errors: Manual entries or incorrect data in the planning process can lead to exceeding the OTB.
  Changes in Demand: Sudden changes in demand or sales orders that were not accounted for in the planning process can also lead to this error.
  
  Solution:
  
  Review Target Balances: Check the target balances set for the affected characteristics and ensure they are appropriate for the current demand and production plans.
  Adjust Planning Parameters: If necessary, adjust the planning parameters or target values in the system to accommodate the increased demand.
  Check Configuration: Review the configuration of the product variants and characteristics to ensure they are set up correctly.
  Analyze Demand Changes: Look into recent changes in demand or sales orders that may have led to the OTB being exceeded and adjust the planning accordingly.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for specific guidance on handling OTB issues in your version of SAP.
  Engage with SAP Support: If the issue persists, consider reaching out to SAP support for assistance, especially if it involves complex configurations or system settings.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as MD04 (Stock/Requirements List) or COHV (Mass Processing of Production Orders) to analyze the situation further.
  Master Data: Ensure that the master data for materials, including BOMs (Bill of Materials) and routing, is accurate and up to date.
  Planning Strategies: Review the planning strategies being used (e.g., make-to-stock, make-to-order) to ensure they align with your business processes.
  User Exits and Enhancements: If custom logic is implemented in your SAP system, check for any user exits or enhancements that might affect OTB calculations.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the root cause of the MA710 error and implement a suitable solution.