How To Fix /PRA/RESPONSIBILITY021 - Responsibility Area and Parent Responsibility Area cannot be same

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: /PRA/RESPONSIBILITY -

• Message number: 021

• Message text: Responsibility Area and Parent Responsibility Area cannot be same

Self-Explanatory Message

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• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message /PRA/RESPONSIBILITY021 - Responsibility Area and Parent Responsibility Area cannot be same ?

  The SAP error message /PRA/RESPONSIBILITY021 indicates that there is an issue with the configuration of responsibility areas in the system. Specifically, it states that the Responsibility Area and Parent Responsibility Area cannot be the same. This error typically arises in the context of the SAP Public Sector Management (PSM) module, particularly when dealing with responsibility areas in budget management or fund management.
  Cause:
  The error occurs when you attempt to create or modify a responsibility area in such a way that it is set as its own parent. In other words, the system does not allow a responsibility area to be its own parent because it creates a circular reference, which is logically inconsistent.
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you need to ensure that the Responsibility Area and Parent Responsibility Area are distinct and do not reference each other. Here are the steps you can take:
  
  
  Check Configuration: Review the configuration of the responsibility areas in the system. Ensure that when you are defining a new responsibility area, you are selecting a valid parent that is different from the responsibility area itself.
  
  
  Modify Responsibility Area: If you have already created a responsibility area with the same parent and child, you will need to modify it:
  
  Go to the transaction code used for maintaining responsibility areas (e.g., /PRA/RESPONSIBILITY).
  Locate the responsibility area that is causing the error.
  Change the Parent Responsibility Area to a different, valid area.
  
  
  
  Validation: After making the changes, validate the configuration to ensure that there are no other circular references or errors.
  
  
  Testing: Once the changes are made, test the functionality to ensure that the error no longer appears and that the responsibility areas are functioning as intended.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as /PRA/RESPONSIBILITY for managing responsibility areas.
  Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help files related to Public Sector Management and responsibility area configuration for more detailed guidance.
  Support: If you continue to experience issues, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert who specializes in Public Sector Management.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the error and ensure proper configuration of responsibility areas in your SAP system.