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Quality Inspection Process in SAP QM

Results Recording & Usage Decision – Complete Guide

Overview

The Quality Inspection Process starts after an Inspection Lot is created (usually automatically after Goods Receipt). It involves recording inspection results against Master Inspection Characteristics and making a Usage Decision (Accept / Reject / Restricted Use).

Prerequisites

  • Inspection Lot has been created (check in QA32)
  • Inspection Plan is assigned to the lot
  • Master Inspection Characteristics and Sampling Procedure are maintained
  • Authorization for Results Recording and Usage Decision

Step-by-Step Process

1

Find the Inspection Lot

  • Go to transaction QA32 (Change Data for Inspection Lot)
  • Enter Plant, Material, or Inspection Lot number
  • Execute (F8)
  • Select the open Inspection Lot (Status should be REL – Released)
2

Results Recording (QE51N)

  • From QA32, select the lot and click Results or go directly to QE51N
  • Enter the Inspection Lot number
  • System displays all operations and characteristics from the Inspection Plan
  • For Quantitative characteristics: Enter the measured values
  • For Qualitative characteristics: Select the appropriate code (OK / Not OK, etc.)
  • System evaluates against specification limits (LSL / USL)
  • Save the results
3

Record Defects (Optional)

  • If defects are found, you can record them using defect codes
  • Go to the Defects tab or use transaction QF11
  • Assign defect class and quantity of defective units
4

Usage Decision (QA11)

  • Go to transaction QA11 (or from QA32 select the lot → Usage Decision)
  • Enter the Inspection Lot number
  • Select the Usage Decision Code (e.g., A – Accept, R – Reject)
  • System proposes stock posting based on the decision:
    • Unrestricted Use
    • Blocked Stock
    • Scrap
    • Return to Vendor
  • You can change the quantity to be posted to different stock types
  • Save the Usage Decision
5

Stock Posting

After saving the Usage Decision, the system automatically posts the stock from Quality Inspection stock to the selected stock type (Unrestricted / Blocked / Scrap, etc.).

You can verify the stock movement in MMBE or MB51.

Quick Process Flow

QA32 (Find Lot) → QE51N (Results Recording) → QA11 (Usage Decision) → Stock Posted

Common Usage Decision Codes

Code Description Typical Stock Posting
A Accepted Unrestricted Use
R Rejected Blocked / Return to Vendor / Scrap
A1 Accepted with deviation Unrestricted (with note)
R1 Rejected – Return to Vendor Return Delivery

Related Transaction Codes

T-Code Description
QA32 Inspection Lot Worklist (Change)
QA33 Inspection Lot Worklist (Display)
QE51N Results Recording (Worklist)
QE11 Results Recording for Inspection Lot
QA11 Record Usage Decision
QA12 Change Usage Decision
QA13 Display Usage Decision
QF11 Record Defects
MMBE Stock Overview
QA01 Create Inspection Lot manually
Important:
  • Results must be recorded before making the Usage Decision (depending on configuration).
  • Once Usage Decision is saved, the Inspection Lot status becomes UD (Usage Decision made).
  • Stock is moved from Quality Inspection stock only after the Usage Decision is posted.
  • You can force a Usage Decision even without complete results if authorized.

Helpful Tips

  • Use QA32 as your daily worklist to see all open inspection lots.
  • In QE51N you can record results for multiple lots in one go.
  • Always check the valuation (Accept/Reject) proposed by the system after entering measured values.
  • If the material is under Quality Management, Goods Receipt posts stock to QI stock automatically.
  • After rejection, you can trigger Return to Vendor process if required.
  • Monitor pending lots regularly to avoid stock stuck in Quality Inspection.