SAP QM Interview Questions

SAP QM (Quality Management) Interview Questions & Answers

Q1. What is SAP QM and its scope?

SAP QM ensures product/process quality across procurement, manufacturing, and delivery. It covers inspections, SPC, quality notifications, audits, and integrations with MM/PP/SD/EWM/PM.

Q2. QM organizational elements

Client → Plant → Storage Location; quality settings reside in material master (plant-level) and task lists; inspection lots are created per plant context.

Q3. Key master data in QM

MICs (master inspection characteristics), Sampling procedures, Inspection methods, Inspection plans/task lists, Catalogs/code groups/selected sets, UD codes, DMR, Q-Info records.

Q4. Inspection types (common ones)

• 01: Goods receipt for PO
• 04: From production
• 08: Stock transfer
• 09/10: Recurring/periodic
• 11: Goods receipt from process order
• 89: Without reference (ad hoc)
• 05: Over-delivery, 03: In-process (via insp. points)

Q5. What is an Inspection Lot?

A container for executing quality inspection—links material/batch/quantity, references, MICs, samples, results, UD, and stock postings.

Q6. Material master QM views

Control key, active inspection types, sampling, DMR, certificate requirement, QM control keys; determine when/how lots are created.

Q7. MICs: Qualitative vs Quantitative

Qualitative uses catalogs for codes; quantitative has target, tolerances, units. MIC controls recording method, sampling, SPC relevance.

Q8. Sampling procedures & schemes

Define sample size determination (fixed %, fixed number, DIN/ISO plans, inspection-by-attributes/variables). Assigned to MIC/operation.

Q9. Inspection Plan vs Routing vs Master Recipe

All are task lists. QM uses Inspection Plan (type 03) or references production Routings/Recipes to bring MICs into the lot.

Q10. Task lists (Q-Plan) key fields

Group/counter, usage, status, operations, inspection characteristics (MIC assignments), methods, sample procedures, inspection points.

Q11. Catalogs, code groups, selected sets

Catalogs (defects, causes, tasks, activities) hold codes grouped for selection; selected sets filter codes for a plant or usage.

Q12. Results recording (RR)

Record measured values/defect codes per MIC/sample; supports valuation rules, auto-valuation, attachments, and remarks.

Q13. Usage Decision (UD)

Final accept/reject for the lot based on results; triggers stock postings, quality score updates, and optionally QNs.

Q14. Stock postings from UD

Post to unrestricted, blocked, scrap, or return-to-vendor; lot quantity can be split by partial accept/reject (if configured).

Q15. Quality stock types

Unrestricted-use, Quality inspection stock, Blocked stock. Moves include 321 (QI→Unrestricted), 350/353, 122 (RTV), etc.

Q16. Dynamic Modification Rule (DMR)

Adjusts inspection scope/frequency based on quality level history (normal → reduced → skip) to optimize effort.

Q17. Skip lots & stage control

When quality level is high, lots can be auto-skipped (no RR/UD) and stock posted directly per DMR rules.

Q18. QM in Procurement (incoming)

Inspection type 01 creates lots at GR for PO. Q-Info records control source release/blocks. COA checks and vendor evaluation feed quality score.

Q19. QM in Production (in-process/final)

Inspection type 04; lot from order/GR. In-process checks via inspection points; final inspection at GR with posting to unrestricted or QI.

Q20. QM in Sales/Returns

Returns create lots to inspect returned goods; SD integration supports complaint handling via QNs and subsequent postings.

Q21. Quality Info Record (Q-Info)

Vendor–material control object: approval status, validity, blocks, source inspection flags; used in procurement release.

Q22. Source inspection

Pre-delivery vendor inspection creates lots before GR; results/UD influence GR decision and vendor score.

Q23. Vendor evaluation (QM view)

Scores vendors on quality (reject rate, complaint count, delivery quality) impacting procurement decisions.

Q24. Certificate of Analysis (COA)

Inbound/outbound certificates mapped via certificate profiles and characteristic assignment; checks at GR or delivery.

Q25. Batch management & classification

Inspection results can update batch characteristics; batch-specific UD and stock postings enable traceability.

Q26. Inspection points

Define where in the process to inspect (e.g., 300 operation, 150 time-based). Record at multiple points within one lot.

Q27. SPC & control charts

Monitor process capability via control charts for quantitative MICs; support alerts when out-of-control conditions occur.

Q28. Defects recording

Record defects with catalog codes during RR; can auto-create QNs or link to CAPA tasks.

Q29. Quality Notifications (QNs)

Central object to manage nonconformities and complaints (internal, customer, vendor) with tasks/causes/activities workflow.

Q30. Notification types (Q1/Q2/Q3)

Q1 Internal, Q2 Customer complaint, Q3 Vendor complaint; each with its own screens, catalogs, and action profiles.

Q31. 8D & CAPA in QN workflow

Map 8D steps via tasks/activities; corrective/preventive actions tracked to closure with responsibilities and due dates.

Q32. Tasks, activities, causes in QN

Causes analyze root; tasks define actions; activities document execution. Status drives SLA and escalation.

Q33. Calibration integration with PM

QM–PM integration supports equipment calibration via maintenance orders, inspection characteristics, and UD postings.

Q34. Stability studies

Plan periodic inspections for long-term stability lots; schedule samples and evaluate trends over time.

Q35. Audit management (QM-AUD)

Plan/execute audits (supplier, process, system); manage findings, corrective actions, and follow-ups.

Q36. Early lot creation vs at GR

Lots can be generated before GR (inspection in vendor premises) or at GR; choice impacts lead time and warehouse flow.

Q37. Inspection lot origins

Origins define context: 01 PO, 04 order/production, 03 in-process, 05 over/under delivery, 08 transfer, 89 no-reference, 11 process order, etc.

Q38. Key QM transactions

• QA32/QA33 – Change/Display inspection lot
• QE51N – Results recording
• QA11/12/13 – Usage decision
• QDL1 – DMR
• QS21/22 – MIC
• QP01/02 – Inspection plan
• QM01/02 – Quality notification

Q39. Reports & analytics

Vendor defect rates, material quality score, inspection backlog, trend charts (SPC), returns analysis; in S/4 via CDS/Fiori.

Q40. Integration with EWM/WM

EWM QI integration creates Q-holds in warehouse; inspection decisions drive putaway, HU status, and follow-up tasks.

Q41. Integration points with MM/PP/SD

MM (GR/stock postings), PP (in-process/final insp), SD (returns/COA), CO (quality costs), PM (calibration), EHS (specs).

Q42. S/4HANA changes for QM

Fiori apps, embedded analytics, simplified data model, improved aATP & EWM integration, enhanced QN processing and COA handling.

Q43. Fiori apps commonly used

Record Inspection Results, Make Usage Decision, Manage Quality Tasks, Track Defects, Monitor Inspection Lots, Manage Quality Info Records.

Q44. Master data pitfalls

Inactive inspection type, MIC unit mismatches, missing sampling procedure, wrong plan usage/status, catalog not assigned to plant/selected set.

Q45. Inspection lot status profile

Typical statuses: CRTD, REL, SPRQ, INSP, SPCO, UD, CLSD; drive allowed actions (RR, UD, postings).

Q46. UD decision codes & quality score

UD codes (A/R/O) derive quality score for vendor/material; feed DMR and vendor evaluation KPIs.

Q47. Rejection & vendor returns

UD “Reject” posts to blocked/return; create return-to-vendor (122) with reference; link QN for supplier complaint.

Q48. Common implementation challenges

• Confusion between MIC vs characteristic copy
• Incorrect DMR causing unintended skips
• Plan usage/status not released
• Warehouse hold not synced with EWM

Q49. Best practices for QM design

• Start with critical materials/vendors first
• Use account-based characteristics and Fiori analytics
• Tight PP/EWM integration for in-process & putaway
• Define clear QN→CAPA workflow with SLAs

Q50. Real-world scenario walkthrough

Incoming GR (01) creates lot → RR with defects → QN (Q3) auto-created → UD “Reject partial” splits stock → RTV (122) for rejected qty → CAPA tasks tracked to closure; vendor score updated.