How To Fix ME352 - You must determine backlog before it can be used as creation criterion

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: ME - Purchasing: General Messages

• Message number: 352

• Message text: You must determine backlog before it can be used as creation criterion

What causes this issue?

You can only set this indicator if you also set <LS>Determine
backlog/immediate requirement</> or the relevant release type.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message ME352 - You must determine backlog before it can be used as creation criterion ?

  The SAP error message ME352, "You must determine backlog before it can be used as creation criterion," typically occurs in the context of materials management, particularly when dealing with purchase requisitions or purchase orders. This error indicates that the system requires a backlog to be determined before it can proceed with the creation of a document based on certain criteria.
  Cause:
  The error is usually caused by one of the following reasons:
  
  Missing Backlog Calculation: The system has not calculated the backlog for the material or the relevant purchasing document. Backlog refers to the outstanding requirements that have not yet been fulfilled.
  Configuration Issues: There may be configuration settings in the material master or purchasing info records that prevent the backlog from being determined.
  Data Inconsistencies: There could be inconsistencies in the data related to the material, vendor, or purchasing organization that prevent the backlog from being calculated.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve the ME352 error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Backlog Calculation:
  
  Ensure that the backlog calculation is set up correctly in your system. You can do this by navigating to the relevant transaction (e.g., MD04 for stock/requirements list) to see if the backlog is being calculated for the material in question.
  
  
  
  Run Backlog Calculation:
  
  If backlog calculation is not performed, you may need to run the relevant transaction to calculate it. This can often be done through the MRP (Material Requirements Planning) run or by using specific transactions designed for backlog determination.
  
  
  
  Review Material Master Data:
  
  Check the material master data for the relevant material. Ensure that all necessary fields are filled out correctly, and that the material is set up for MRP and purchasing.
  
  
  
  Check Purchasing Info Records:
  
  Verify that the purchasing info records for the vendor and material combination are correctly maintained. Ensure that the necessary conditions for creating purchase requisitions or orders are met.
  
  
  
  Consult Configuration Settings:
  
  If you have access to configuration settings, review the settings related to MRP and purchasing to ensure that they are correctly configured to allow for backlog determination.
  
  
  
  Consult SAP Notes:
  
  Check the SAP Support Portal for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error message or provide additional troubleshooting steps.
  
  
  
  Contact SAP Support:
  
  If the issue persists after trying the above steps, consider reaching out to SAP support for further assistance.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as MD04 (Stock/Requirements List), ME51N (Create Purchase Requisition), and ME21N (Create Purchase Order).
  MRP Settings: Understanding MRP settings and how they affect purchasing and inventory management can be beneficial.
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation or user manuals related to purchasing and MRP for more detailed guidance on backlog determination and related processes.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the ME352 error and implement a solution to resolve it.