How To Fix WPS01133 - Cycle in hierarchy found: key &1 / ext. ID &2 has itself as sub task list

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WPS01 - Revision Planning - Task List Hierarchy

• Message number: 133

• Message text: Cycle in hierarchy found: key &1 / ext. ID &2 has itself as sub task list

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 WPS01133 - Cycle in hierarchy found: key &1 / ext. ID &2 has itself as sub task list ?

  SAP Error Message:
  
  WPS01133
  
  Text: Cycle in hierarchy found: key &1 / ext. ID &2 has itself as sub task list
  
  Cause
  This error occurs when there is a circular reference (cycle) in the task list hierarchy. Specifically, a task list (identified by key &1 and external ID &2) is assigned as a sub-task list to itself, either directly or indirectly through a chain of sub-task lists. This creates an infinite loop or cycle in the hierarchy, which is not allowed in SAP.
  
  Explanation
  
  In SAP, task lists (e.g., maintenance task lists, production task lists) can have sub-task lists to represent hierarchical operations.
  The system expects a tree structure without cycles.
  If a task list is assigned as a sub-task list to itself, or if a chain of sub-task lists eventually references the original task list again, the system detects a cycle.
  This violates the hierarchical integrity and causes the error WPS01133.
  
  
  Solution
  
  
  Identify the cycle:
  
  Check the task list &1 with external ID &2.
  Review its sub-task lists and their sub-task lists recursively.
  Look for the task list that appears again in its own sub-task list chain.
  
  
  
  Remove or correct the circular reference:
  
  Remove the sub-task list assignment that causes the cycle.
  Adjust the hierarchy so that no task list is a sub-task list of itself, directly or indirectly.
  
  
  
  Use SAP tools or reports:
  
  Use transaction codes like IA05 (Display Task List) or IA06 (Change Task List) to navigate and inspect the task list hierarchy.
  Use custom or standard reports to analyze task list hierarchies if the structure is complex.
  
  
  
  Check for data inconsistencies:
  
  Sometimes, data inconsistencies or incorrect manual entries cause cycles.
  Validate the data integrity of task lists and sub-task lists.
  
  
  
  
  Related Information
  
  Task Lists in SAP: Task lists are used in Plant Maintenance (PM) and Production Planning (PP) to define sequences of operations.
  Hierarchy Integrity: SAP requires that task list hierarchies form a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG), i.e., no cycles.
  Transactions:
  
  IA05 - Display Task List
  IA06 - Change Task List
  IA07 - Create Task List
  
  
  Notes and SAP Help:
  
  Check SAP Notes related to task list hierarchy errors.
  Refer to SAP Help Portal documentation on task lists and sub-task lists.
  
  
  
  
  Summary
  
  
  
  Aspect
  Details
  
  
  
  
  Cause
  Circular reference in task list hierarchy; task list assigned as sub-task list to itself
  
  
  Effect
  Infinite loop detected; system throws error WPS01133
  
  
  Solution
  Identify and remove the circular reference in the task list hierarchy
  
  
  Tools
  Transactions IA05, IA06; SAP reports; data validation
  
  
  
  
  If you need help identifying the cycle programmatically or via a report, please let me know!