How To Fix /SRMSMC/SUSTAIN036 - Start date cannot be earlier than start date of previous period

/SRMSMC/SUSTAIN036 - Overview

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: /SRMSMC/SUSTAIN -

• Message number: 036

• Message text: Start date cannot be earlier than start date of previous period

Self-Explanatory Message

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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.

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/SRMSMC/SUSTAIN036 - Details

• The SAP error message /SRMSMC/SUSTAIN036 Start date cannot be earlier than start date of previous period typically occurs in the context of SAP Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) or similar modules where time periods are defined for certain processes, such as contract management, procurement, or project management.
  
  Cause:
  This error indicates that the start date you are trying to set for a new period or entry is earlier than the start date of the previous period. This is a validation check to ensure that time periods do not overlap or create inconsistencies in data.
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you can take the following steps:
  
  
  Check Existing Periods: Review the existing periods in the system to identify the start date of the previous period. You can do this by navigating to the relevant transaction or report that displays the periods.
  
  
  Adjust Start Date: Modify the start date of the new entry you are trying to create so