How To Fix WU166 - Plant group & cannot be deleted -> subsequent processing

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: WU - Promotion management messages

• Message number: 166

• Message text: Plant group & cannot be deleted -> subsequent processing

What causes this issue?

The plant group can no longer be deleted, as at least one step in
subsequent processing has already been carried out.

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?

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message WU166 - Plant group & cannot be deleted -> subsequent processing ?

  The SAP error message WU166, which states "Plant group & cannot be deleted -> subsequent processing," typically occurs when you attempt to delete a plant group that is still being referenced in the system. This can happen for various reasons, such as existing materials, production orders, or other objects that are linked to the plant group.
  Cause:
  
  
  Existing References: The plant group you are trying to delete is still being used in various transactions or master data records, such as:
  
  Material master records
  Production orders
  Purchase orders
  Sales orders
  Other configuration settings
  
  
  
  Subsequent Processing: The term "subsequent processing" indicates that there are processes or transactions that depend on the plant group, preventing its deletion.
  
  
  Solution:
  To resolve this error, you need to identify and remove the dependencies associated with the plant group. Here are the steps you can take:
  
  
  Check for Dependencies:
  
  Use transaction codes like MM03 (Material Master), CO03 (Production Order), or ME23N (Purchase Order) to check if there are any materials, orders, or other objects linked to the plant group.
  You can also use transaction SE16N to query relevant tables (e.g., MARA, MAST, etc.) to find any references to the plant group.
  
  
  
  Remove References:
  
  If you find any materials or orders that reference the plant group, you will need to either delete or modify those records to remove the dependency.
  For example, if there are materials linked to the plant group, you may need to change their plant assignment or delete the materials if they are no longer needed.
  
  
  
  Check Configuration:
  
  Ensure that there are no configuration settings in the system that are still using the plant group. This may include settings in the configuration of the material management or production planning modules.
  
  
  
  Retry Deletion:
  
  Once all dependencies have been resolved, attempt to delete the plant group again using the appropriate transaction (e.g., OX17 for plant groups).
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes for checking and managing master data and orders.
  SAP Notes: Check SAP Notes for any specific guidance or patches related to this error message.
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation for plant groups and their usage in the system to understand better how they are linked to other objects.
  
  If you continue to face issues after following these steps, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert for further assistance.