How To Fix RT138 - Average time for long-running dialog work processes

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: RT - Monitoring infrastructure MSG and alert texts

• Message number: 138

• Message text: Average time for long-running dialog work processes

What causes this issue?

This monitoring tree element (MTE) reports on long-running tasks (user
dialog steps) in dialog work processes on this application server.
Such long-running tasks can block other users' dialog steps and can
produce a general degradation of dialog response time for interactive
users.

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?

If an alert occurs in this MTE, check to see whether the problem has
degraded dialog response time. Also check related dialog MTEs to
determine whether the problem is also showing up in long queue waiting
times and high work process utilization.
Resolving this problem requires analysis of the long-running dialog
steps. Is a parallel background job running in dialog work processes?
Are some users running large reports or performing other long-running
operations?
Corrective measures include moving users to another (additional)
application server, asking users to schedule long-running reports or
other actions as background jobs in off-peak time periods, adding work
processes (for example, by switching operation modes), and moving
parallel background jobs to off-peak times.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message RT138 - Average time for long-running dialog work processes ?

  The SAP error message RT138, which refers to "Average time for long-running dialog work processes," typically indicates that the average processing time for dialog work processes is exceeding acceptable limits. This can lead to performance issues in the SAP system, affecting user experience and system responsiveness.
  Causes:
  
  Long-running Transactions: Certain transactions may take longer to process due to complex logic, large data volumes, or inefficient coding.
  Database Performance: Slow database queries or locks can lead to longer processing times for dialog work processes.
  System Resource Constraints: Insufficient CPU, memory, or I/O resources can slow down processing.
  Configuration Issues: Incorrect configuration of work processes or system parameters can lead to inefficiencies.
  High Load: A high number of concurrent users or transactions can overwhelm the system, causing delays.
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Analyze Long-running Transactions:
  
  Use transaction ST05 (SQL Trace) or ST12 (Performance Trace) to identify long-running SQL statements or transactions.
  Optimize the identified transactions or queries to reduce processing time.
  
  
  
  Monitor System Performance:
  
  Use transaction ST03N (Workload Analysis) to monitor the performance of dialog work processes and identify bottlenecks.
  Check for any resource constraints (CPU, memory, I/O) using transaction ST06 (Operating System Monitor).
  
  
  
  Database Optimization:
  
  Ensure that database statistics are up to date. Use transaction DB02 to check and update statistics.
  Optimize database indexes and queries to improve performance.
  
  
  
  Adjust Work Process Configuration:
  
  Review and adjust the configuration of dialog work processes in the instance profile (transaction RZ10).
  Ensure that the number of dialog work processes is appropriate for the expected workload.
  
  
  
  Increase System Resources:
  
  If the system is consistently under heavy load, consider scaling up the hardware resources (CPU, memory) or optimizing the existing resources.
  
  
  
  Review Background Jobs:
  
  Check for any background jobs that may be consuming excessive resources and impacting dialog processing.
  
  
  
  User Training:
  
  Ensure that users are trained to use the system efficiently, avoiding unnecessary long-running transactions.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address specific issues related to RT138 or performance tuning.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community for insights and shared experiences from other users facing similar issues.
  Performance Tuning Guides: Refer to SAP's official performance tuning guides for best practices in optimizing SAP systems.
  
  By systematically analyzing and addressing the underlying causes of the RT138 error, you can improve the performance of dialog work processes and enhance the overall user experience in your SAP system.