How To Fix PD020 - An action has already been designated for &

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: PD - HR-PD: Reserved

• Message number: 020

• Message text: An action has already been designated for &

What causes this issue?

The personnel number that you want to select has already been
designated for an action. This can either be the action that you want
to select, but on a different date, or a different action altogether.

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?

Before you can designate a new action or the same action for a
different date, you must first execute the already designated action in
Personnel Administration.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message PD020 - An action has already been designated for & ?

  The SAP error message PD020 ("An action has already been designated for &") typically occurs in the context of personnel administration or organizational management when you attempt to assign an action (such as hiring, termination, or transfer) to a personnel number or organizational unit that already has an action assigned for the same time period.
  Cause:
  
  Duplicate Action Assignment: The error indicates that there is already an action recorded for the specified personnel number or organizational unit during the time frame you are trying to assign a new action.
  Time Overlap: The new action you are trying to assign overlaps with the dates of an existing action.
  Incorrect Data Entry: There may be a mistake in the data entry, such as entering the wrong dates or personnel number.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Existing Actions: Review the existing actions assigned to the personnel number or organizational unit. You can do this by navigating to the relevant infotype (e.g., Infotype 0000 for actions) and checking the records for any overlapping actions.
  Adjust Dates: If the new action is valid but overlaps with an existing action, consider adjusting the start and end dates of the new action or the existing action to eliminate the conflict.
  Delete or Modify Existing Action: If the existing action is no longer relevant, you may need to delete or modify it to allow for the new action to be assigned.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or your organization's guidelines for handling personnel actions to ensure compliance with internal processes.
  Contact Support: If you are unable to resolve the issue, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or a functional consultant for assistance.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Infotypes: Familiarize yourself with the relevant infotypes related to personnel actions (e.g., Infotype 0000 for Actions, Infotype 0001 for Organizational Assignment).
  Authorization: Ensure you have the necessary authorizations to view and modify personnel actions.
  SAP Notes: Check for any SAP Notes related to this error message for additional insights or patches that may address the issue.
  Training: Consider training sessions or resources on SAP HR module functionalities to better understand how to manage personnel actions effectively.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the PD020 error and take appropriate action to resolve it.