What is soft constraint in SAP SCM-APO-OPT - Optimization?

SAP Term: soft constraint

• Component: SCM-APO-OPT

• Component Name: Optimization

• Description: Constraint that can be violated with resulting penalty costs during optimization-based planning in Supply Network Planning SNP. For example, a specific stock level can be exceeded, but it incurs penalty costs.

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• Key Concepts: 
  Soft constraint is a type of constraint used in SAP SCM-APO-OPT Optimization. It is a constraint that is not mandatory, but can be used to influence the optimization process. Soft constraints are used to prioritize certain objectives or goals over others, and can be adjusted to suit the needs of the user. 
  
  How to use it: 
  Soft constraints can be used in SAP SCM-APO-OPT Optimization by setting up the desired objectives and goals, and then assigning a weight or priority to each one. The higher the weight, the more important that objective or goal will be in the optimization process. The user can then adjust the weights of each objective or goal to prioritize certain ones over others. 
  
  Tips & Tricks: 
  When setting up soft constraints in SAP SCM-APO-OPT Optimization, it is important to consider all of the objectives and goals that need to be taken into account. This will ensure that all of the desired outcomes are taken into consideration when optimizing. Additionally, it is important to adjust the weights of each objective or goal carefully, as this will determine how much influence they have on the optimization process. 
  
  Related Information: 
  For more information on soft constraints in SAP SCM-APO-OPT Optimization, please refer to the official SAP documentation here: https://help.sap.com/viewer/product/SCM_APO_OPT/7.5/en-US/f3d8f9a2b6c14e8a9f3d7c2b1e4d7f2a.html