Overview
A Work Center represents a machine, production line, assembly area, or person/group of people where operations are performed. It is a mandatory master data for Routings and Production Orders and is used for scheduling, capacity planning, and costing.
Prerequisites
- Plant is defined
- Work Center category is configured
- Person responsible / Capacity planner is available (optional)
- Authorization for transaction CR01
Step-by-Step Process
1
Enter Transaction Code
Go to transaction CR01 (Create Work Center) and press Enter.
2
Initial Screen
- Plant: Enter the plant
- Work Center: Enter a unique name/code (e.g., MACHINE01, ASSYLINE1)
- Work Center Category: Select category (e.g., 0001 – Machine, 0002 – Labor, etc.)
- Press Enter
3
Basic Data Tab
- Enter Description of the work center
- Enter Person Responsible
- Enter Location (optional)
- Enter Usage (usually 009 – All task list types)
- Enter Standard Value Key (controls which times appear: Setup, Machine, Labor, etc.)
4
Default Values Tab
- Enter default Control Key (e.g., PP01)
- Enter default Suitability and other defaults if required
5
Capacities Tab
- Enter Capacity Category (usually 001 – Machine or 002 – Person)
- Enter Capacity (link to capacity header)
- Maintain available capacity (start time, end time, breaks, utilization, number of individual capacities)
- This data is critical for Capacity Planning
6
Scheduling Tab
- Enter Capacity Category for scheduling
- Maintain execution time formulas if needed
- Enter dimension and units for scheduling
7
Costing Tab
- Enter Cost Center
- Enter Activity Types and formulas for costing (Setup, Machine, Labor)
- This links the work center to product costing
8
Save the Work Center
Click the Save button. The Work Center is now created and can be used in Routings and Production Orders.
Quick Process Flow
CR01 → Plant + Work Center + Category → Basic Data → Capacities → Scheduling → Costing → Save
Important Tabs Summary
| Tab | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Basic Data | Description, Person Responsible, Standard Value Key |
| Default Values | Default Control Key and other defaults |
| Capacities | Available capacity, working times, utilization |
| Scheduling | Scheduling formulas and parameters |
| Costing | Cost Center + Activity Types for costing |
Related Transaction Codes
| T-Code | Description |
|---|---|
| CR01 | Create Work Center |
| CR02 | Change Work Center |
| CR03 | Display Work Center |
| CR05 | Work Center List |
| CR60 | Work Center Change Documents |
| CA01 | Create Routing (uses Work Center) |
| CM01 | Capacity Evaluation |
| CR11 | Create Capacity |
Important Notes:
- Work Center must be created before it can be used in a Routing.
- Standard Value Key determines which time fields (Setup, Machine, Labor) appear in the Routing.
- Capacity data is essential if you want to perform capacity planning.
- Costing tab links the work center to product cost calculation.
Helpful Tips
- Use a clear naming convention for Work Centers (e.g., MACH-CNC01, LINE-ASSY01).
- Maintain accurate capacity data (start/finish time, breaks, utilization %).
- Always assign a Cost Center and Activity Types if product costing is used.
- You can create a Work Center by copying an existing one.
- After creation, you can immediately use it while creating a Routing (CA01).