How To Fix RSDHA809 - Smoothing constant alpha is out of range (0 < alpha < 1)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: RSDHA - HANA Analysis in BW

• Message number: 809

• Message text: Smoothing constant alpha is out of range (0 < alpha < 1)

Self-Explanatory Message

Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

Unfortunately, there isn't any extra information in this error notice.

What else can you do?

First, use our AnswerBot below to get a possible cause and solution (requires a premium subscription).

Also, review the in-depth Common Questions & Answers listed below; you could discover a solution there or be able to connect with others who have faced similar challenges.

You can also try searching the SAP support portal (support.sap.com) but you need a special user ID to access it. It is possible that an SAP support note exists that provides additional details about the mistake or even steps for fixing it.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message RSDHA809 - Smoothing constant alpha is out of range (0 < alpha < 1) ?

  The SAP error message RSDHA809 indicates that there is an issue with the smoothing constant alpha in a forecasting model. Specifically, the error states that the value of alpha is out of the acceptable range, which should be between 0 and 1 (exclusive). This error typically occurs in the context of time series forecasting within SAP BW (Business Warehouse) or SAP Analytics Cloud.
  Cause:
  The smoothing constant alpha is a parameter used in exponential smoothing methods for forecasting. If the value of alpha is set to:
  
  Less than or equal to 0, or
  Greater than or equal to 1,
  
  the system will throw this error because these values do not make sense in the context of exponential smoothing. The alpha value determines the weight given to the most recent observation relative to the previous forecast. A value of 0 means no weight is given to the most recent observation, while a value of 1 means only the most recent observation is considered.
  Solution:
  To resolve the RSDHA809 error, you need to ensure that the alpha value is set correctly. Here are the steps to do this:
  
  
  Check the Alpha Value: Review the configuration or settings where the alpha value is defined. This could be in the forecasting model or the specific data source you are using.
  
  
  Set a Valid Alpha Value: Change the alpha value to a valid number within the range (0 < alpha < 1). Common practice is to use values like 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, etc., depending on how much weight you want to give to recent observations.
  
  
  Test the Configuration: After adjusting the alpha value, run the forecasting model again to ensure that the error is resolved.
  
  
  Documentation and Best Practices: Refer to SAP documentation or best practices for setting up forecasting models to understand the implications of different alpha values on your forecasts.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Exponential Smoothing: This is a forecasting technique that uses weighted averages of past observations, with the weights decreasing exponentially for older observations.
  Forecasting Models in SAP: SAP provides various forecasting models, including simple exponential smoothing, Holt’s linear trend method, and Holt-Winters seasonal method, each requiring appropriate parameter settings.
  SAP Notes and Community: If you continue to experience issues, consider checking SAP Notes or the SAP Community for similar issues and solutions shared by other users.
  
  By ensuring that the alpha value is correctly set, you should be able to resolve the RSDHA809 error and proceed with your forecasting tasks in SAP.