CJ012 - Finish date must be earlier than "&"

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: CJ - Project master data and structure

• Message number: 012

• Message text: Finish date must be earlier than "&"

What causes this issue?

You have entered a date that is not within the scheduling horizon.

System Response

INCLUDE NA_ALLG_NOFUNKTION OBJECT DOKU ID TX

How to fix this error?

Check the finish date.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message CJ012 - Finish date must be earlier than "&" ?

  The SAP error message CJ012 indicates that there is an issue with the scheduling of a project or a network activity in the Project System (PS) module. Specifically, the error states that the finish date of a project or activity must be earlier than a specified date (represented by "&"). This typically occurs when the finish date of a task or project is set to a date that is later than the start date of a subsequent task or project, leading to a scheduling conflict.
  Cause:
  
  Incorrect Date Entry: The finish date for a project or activity has been entered incorrectly, making it later than the start date of a dependent task.
  Dependencies: There are dependencies between tasks that require the finish date of one task to be earlier than the start date of another.
  Project Structure Changes: Changes in the project structure or scheduling parameters may have led to inconsistencies in the dates.
  System Configuration: There may be configuration settings in the project management module that enforce strict date rules.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check Dates: Review the finish date of the project or activity that is causing the error. Ensure that it is set to a date that is earlier than the start date of any dependent tasks.
  Adjust Dependencies: If there are dependencies between tasks, adjust the scheduling of the tasks to ensure that the finish date of the predecessor task is earlier than the start date of the successor task.
  Re-enter Dates: If the dates were entered incorrectly, re-enter the correct dates in the project or activity.
  Review Project Structure: If there have been recent changes to the project structure, review those changes to ensure that they do not violate scheduling rules.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for specific guidelines on date management in the Project System module.
  Check Configuration: If the issue persists, consult with your SAP administrator or technical team to check if there are any configuration settings that need to be adjusted.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: You may need to use transaction codes like CJ20N (Project Builder) or CJ02 (Change Project) to access and modify project details.
  Dependencies: Understanding the concept of task dependencies (Finish-to-Start, Start-to-Start, etc.) in project management can help in resolving scheduling conflicts.
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address known issues or provide additional guidance on handling date-related errors in the Project System.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the CJ012 error and ensure that your project scheduling is accurate and compliant with SAP's requirements.