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SAP QM Master Data: Overview, Hierarchy & Relationships
TL;DR
- SAP QM master data consists of nine objects across four phases: Foundation (Catalog, Master Inspection Characteristic, Inspection Method), Sampling (Sampling Procedure, Dynamic Modification Rule), Planning (Work Center, Inspection Plan), and Activation (Material Master QM View, Quality Info Record). Material Master (QM View), Master Inspection Characteristic, and Inspection Plan are mandatory; the remaining objects are optional depending on business requirements.
- Configuration must follow the phase order — each object depends on its predecessors. The Inspection Plan is the central integration point, pulling together characteristics, methods, sampling procedures, and work centers before being linked to the Material Master.
- This article provides the map: setup flow, hierarchy, and ER relationships. Field-level configuration for each object is covered in QM-A02 through QM-A05.
1) Master Data Setup Flow
2) Hierarchy Structure
3) ER Diagram
4) Master Process
| Phase | Object | Integration | Prerequisite | Tr-Cd | Description | Practical Examples | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Foundation | Catalog | - | - | QS41/QS42/QS43 | Define catalogs for defect codes, cause codes, action codes, and usage decision codes | Defect code “01: Dimensional defect”, “02: Visual defect”; Cause code “01: Equipment failure”, “02: Operator error” | QM Administrator |
| Master Inspection Characteristic | - | Catalog | QS21/QS22/QS23 | Define quantitative and qualitative characteristics to be measured and evaluated during quality inspection | Quantitative characteristic “Outer diameter: 10.0 ± 0.1 mm”; Qualitative characteristic “Appearance: OK/NG” | QM Administrator | |
| Inspection Method | - | - | QS31/QS32/QS33 | Define measurement methods and procedures for inspection characteristics | “Caliper measurement”, “Visual inspection”, “Tensile test” | QM Administrator | |
| 2 Sampling | Sampling Procedure | - | - | QDV1/QDV2/QDV3 | Define sample size, sampling method, and valuation mode | Fixed sampling “5 units/lot”, 100% inspection, AQL = 0.65% | QM Administrator |
| Dynamic Modification Rule | - | Sampling Procedure | QDR1/QDR2/QDR3 | Define rules for dynamically adjusting inspection level based on historical inspection results | Normal → Reduced (5 consecutive lots accepted); Normal → Tightened (2 of 5 lots rejected) | QM Administrator | |
| 3 Planning | Work Center | PP | - | CR01/CR02/CR03 | Define work centers for QM (inspection location and inspection resources) | Work center “QC-LAB01” (Quality Inspection Room), control key “QM01” | PP/QM Administrator |
| Inspection Plan | - | Master Inspection Characteristic, Inspection Method, Sampling Procedure, Work Center | QP01/QP02/QP03 | Define inspection plans for materials and production versions, linking characteristics, methods, and sampling procedures | Inspection plan for Material A: usage 5, outer diameter measurement + visual inspection + tensile test, lot size 1–999 | QM Administrator | |
| 4 Activation | Material Master (QM View) | MM | Inspection Plan | MM01/MM02/MM03 | Activate inspection types and assign inspection plans in the QM view of the material master | Activate inspection type 01 (goods receipt inspection), assign inspection plan group | MM/QM Administrator |
| Quality Info Record | MM | Material Master, Vendor Master | QI01/QI02/QI03 | Define inspection control per vendor-material combination to control whether inspection is required per vendor | Vendor A – Material X: inspection mandatory; Vendor B – Material X: inspection skipped | MM/QM Administrator |
What to Read Next
L1) Big Picture
| ID | Category | Title |
|---|---|---|
| qm-001 | Overview | What is SAP QM? |
L2-A) Master Data
| ID | Category | Title |
|---|---|---|
| qm-a01 | Overview | SAP QM Master Data: Overview, Hierarchy & Relationships 📍 |
| qm-a02-01 | Master Data | SAP QM Catalog |
| qm-a02-02 | Master Data | SAP QM Master Inspection Characteristic |
| qm-a02-03 | Master Data | SAP QM Inspection Method |
| qm-a03-01 | Master Data | SAP QM Sampling Procedure |
| qm-a03-02 | Master Data | SAP QM Dynamic Modification Rule |
| qm-a05-01 | Master Data | SAP QM Material Master |
| qm-a04-01 | Master Data | SAP QM Work Center |
| qm-a04-02 | Master Data | SAP QM Inspection Plan |
| qm-a05-02 | Master Data | SAP QM Quality Info Record |
L2-B) Transaction
| ID | Category | Title |
|---|---|---|
| qm-b01 | Overview | SAP QM Transactions: Process Flow, Hierarchy & Relationships |