M3609 - The specified follow-up material results in recursiveness

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: M3 - Material Master

• Message number: 609

• Message text: The specified follow-up material results in recursiveness

What causes this issue?

You have entered a follow-up material. However, the BOM explosion for
the follow-up material leads to the discontinued material, resulting in
unpermissible recursiveness.

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?

Enter another follow-up material or cancel the entry.

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message M3609 - The specified follow-up material results in recursiveness ?

  The SAP error message M3609, which states "The specified follow-up material results in recursiveness," typically occurs in the context of material requirements planning (MRP) or when dealing with production orders and bill of materials (BOM). This error indicates that there is a circular dependency in the material setup, meaning that the follow-up material you are trying to assign leads back to the original material, creating a loop.
  Cause:
  
  
  Circular Dependency: The most common cause of this error is that the follow-up material you are trying to assign is already dependent on the original material, either directly or indirectly. This creates a situation where the system cannot resolve the material requirements because it would lead to an infinite loop.
  
  
  Incorrect BOM Configuration: If the bill of materials (BOM) for the materials involved is incorrectly configured, it can lead to recursive relationships.
  
  
  Incorrect Routing: Similar to BOM issues, if the routing for production orders is set up in a way that creates a loop, this error can occur.
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Review Material Dependencies: Check the BOM and routing for the materials involved. Ensure that there are no circular references. You can do this by analyzing the BOM structure and ensuring that no material is listed as a component of itself, either directly or indirectly.
  
  
  Adjust Follow-Up Material: If you are trying to assign a follow-up material, consider using a different material that does not create a recursive relationship.
  
  
  Use Transaction Codes: Utilize transaction codes like CS03 (Display BOM) or CA03 (Display Routing) to analyze the structure of the materials and identify any circular dependencies.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Review SAP documentation or help resources for guidance on setting up BOMs and routings correctly to avoid such issues.
  
  
  Testing: After making changes, test the configuration by attempting to create the follow-up material again to ensure that the error does not recur.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error or provide additional troubleshooting steps.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums to see if other users have encountered similar issues and what solutions they have found.
  Training and Documentation: Ensure that users involved in material planning and BOM management are trained on best practices to avoid circular dependencies.
  
  By addressing the root cause of the circular dependency and ensuring proper configuration of materials, you should be able to resolve the M3609 error effectively.