Which elements can be created by requirements planning?

Requirements planning in SAP S/4HANA is primarily focused on determining the demands for materials in an organization and subsequently facilitating their procurement to meet those demands. Among the elements that can be created through requirements planning, releases (also known as delivery schedule divisions) are structured deliveries that break down the total quantity of a product into manageable parts over a specified timeframe. This process allows for streamlined inventory management and ensures that materials are received just in time for production or sales.

Releases provide visibility into future requirements, enabling better coordination with suppliers and enhancing the overall procurement process. They typically emerge from planned orders or forecasts as part of the supply chain execution, helping organizations manage their inventory levels efficiently while meeting customer demands.

Creating excess inventory or purchase requirements could stem from inefficient planning practices rather than being intentional outputs of the requirements planning process. Sales orders, while integral to the procurement cycle as they generate demand, are not directly produced as a result of requirements planning; instead, they reflect customer purchases that subsequently influence needs in sourcing and procurement. Thus, the ability of requirements planning to create releases clearly illustrates its role in establishing structured procurement workflows.