SAP  C_TS413_2021 Exam Dumps & Practice Test Questions

Question 1:

A maintenance order was completed 5 days later than planned. If the shift factor for early completion is set to 100%, how will this impact the scheduling of the next maintenance activity?

A. It will be delayed by a full cycle (100%).
B. It will be pushed back by 5 days.
C. There will be no change.
D. It will be scheduled 5 days earlier.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

In SAP's Plant Maintenance module, shift factors are used to adjust the scheduling of future maintenance activities based on the actual completion timing of the current task. These factors can be applied both for early and late completion scenarios and help keep preventive maintenance aligned with operational expectations.

The shift factor for early completion, when set to 100%, implies that any deviation from the scheduled completion date—whether early or delayed—will result in a corresponding shift in the next planned date. This logic ensures that maintenance cycles remain consistent and predictable over time.

Let’s understand the scenario:

• The current maintenance order was completed 5 days late.

• The shift factor for early completion is set to 100%.

Although the term "early completion" is used, the shift factor still applies when there's a delay. In this context, a 100% shift factor doesn’t mean the next activity is delayed even further. Instead, SAP uses the shift factor to correct future scheduling based on this deviation. So, a 5-day delay in this order will result in the next planned date being moved 5 days earlier to balance out the delay.

This mechanism ensures the next maintenance does not keep drifting further into the future just because of current delays. The goal is to retain a predictable cycle and prevent degradation of maintenance routines.

Let’s review the options:

• A. Incorrect – A full cycle delay is not triggered by the shift factor.

• B. Incorrect – A delay of 5 days would worsen schedule accuracy.

• C. Incorrect – With a 100% shift factor, a change must occur.

• D. Correct – The next task is scheduled 5 days earlier to compensate for the delay.

Thus, by applying a 100% shift factor, SAP ensures that even when tasks run late, the next maintenance is pulled forward to stay in sync with original preventive maintenance plans.

Question 2:

In a maintenance strategy, what does the offset specifically help determine?

A. The initial start date of the maintenance order
B. The date on which the maintenance call is issued
C. The first scheduled date of a maintenance package
D. The scheduled execution date of the order

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

In SAP’s Plant Maintenance system, a maintenance strategy provides the framework for determining how and when maintenance should be executed. This includes defining cycles, packages, and offsets. Among these, the offset is particularly useful for tailoring the start of maintenance tasks relative to a reference point in the plan.

An offset defines a time-based deviation from the beginning of a cycle or maintenance plan. It allows planners to delay or advance specific maintenance tasks within a strategy. The key use of the offset is to determine the first due date of a maintenance package—a predefined group of tasks bundled for execution during a specific point in the cycle.

Let’s examine each option to see why C is the most accurate:

• A. The basic start date of the maintenance order is typically set during order creation or strategy assignment and not directly influenced by the offset. This date is derived from overall scheduling logic, not from individual strategy elements like offset.

• B. The call date (when the system creates a call object for the task) is calculated based on the scheduling parameters of the maintenance plan, but the offset does not dictate this date. The call date is usually driven by lead time, start date, and cycle settings.

• C. This is correct. The first due date of a maintenance package is the target of the offset parameter. For example, if a maintenance strategy includes a 90-day cycle and a package has an offset of 30 days, the package will be due 30 days after the cycle start date. This enables more precise control over when tasks within a cycle should occur.

• D. The scheduled start date of the maintenance order comes from the plan and scheduling settings but isn’t dictated solely by the offset. While the offset can influence when the tasks are due, the order’s scheduled start is calculated based on broader parameters.

In conclusion, the offset in a maintenance strategy fine-tunes when specific maintenance packages are expected, allowing for better customization and alignment with operational needs. Its main role is to control the timing of the first due date for individual packages within a maintenance cycle.

Question 3:

In a multiple-counter maintenance plan within SAP PM, which of the following are considered valid scheduling parameters? (Select two options.)

A. Scheduling period
B. Start date
C. Scheduling indicator
D. Factory calendar

Correct Answer: A, C

Explanation:

A multiple-counter plan in SAP Plant Maintenance (PM) is designed to trigger maintenance activities based on multiple measurement points or counters. These could include both time-based (such as calendar months) and performance-based metrics (like kilometers driven or machine operating hours). This type of plan allows for greater flexibility by considering different conditions under which equipment might require service.

Let’s examine the scheduling parameters in this context:

A. Scheduling period
This is a valid parameter. The scheduling period sets the window or range of time over which the system evaluates when maintenance tasks should be triggered. In multiple-counter plans, this parameter helps define the planning horizon, allowing SAP PM to look ahead and prepare upcoming orders within that time frame. It ensures the system is actively checking counter values and forecasting when the next tasks should be generated, making it crucial for timely and relevant maintenance.

B. Start date
This is not a primary parameter specific to multiple-counter plans. Although it defines when the plan becomes active and sets the baseline for calculating the first due date, the start date itself does not directly participate in counter-based evaluations. It's a general setting applicable across all maintenance plan types, and not unique to the logic of multiple-counter plans.

C. Scheduling indicator
This is another valid and essential parameter. The scheduling indicator controls how the system interprets the counters to calculate future due dates. In a multiple-counter plan, the indicator specifies whether scheduling is based on time, performance, or a combination of both. It determines how counter readings are translated into actionable maintenance dates. For example, it might indicate that maintenance should be scheduled every 5,000 km or every six months—whichever comes first.

D. Factory calendar
While important for time-based planning, the factory calendar is not a core parameter for multiple-counter logic. Its role is to avoid scheduling tasks on non-working days (like weekends or holidays), but it doesn’t affect the counter evaluation itself.

In summary, scheduling period and scheduling indicator are the key parameters in a multiple-counter plan. They work together to determine when a maintenance task is due, based on counter values and scheduling logic. These settings help companies maintain equipment proactively, using accurate and real-time performance data.

Question 4:

In a performance-based maintenance plan, how is the time interval between the start date and the next planned maintenance date calculated?

A. Cycle length ÷ annual performance
B. Cycle length ÷ ((scheduling period) × (cycle modification factor))
C. Cycle length ÷ monthly performance
D. Cycle length ÷ (annual performance ÷ 365)

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

Performance-based maintenance planning in SAP PM ensures that maintenance activities are triggered based on how much the equipment has actually been used, rather than just elapsed time. This approach helps organizations tailor maintenance to real-world usage, reducing both under- and over-maintenance.

The core idea is to define maintenance intervals in terms of performance units—such as kilometers driven, machine hours, or production cycles. To forecast when the next maintenance should occur, SAP must convert these performance values into time-based intervals (i.e., calendar dates). This involves using the known or estimated annual performance to calculate the interval in days.

Here’s how the options break down:

A. Cycle length ÷ annual performance
Incorrect. Dividing cycle length directly by annual performance gives you a rate (e.g., maintenance per unit performance), not a time-based interval. This doesn’t yield the number of days until the next maintenance.

B. Cycle length ÷ ((scheduling period) × (cycle modification factor))
Incorrect. This formula applies more to time-based plans where the maintenance frequency may be adjusted. It does not reflect the logic of performance-based calculations, which depend on actual equipment usage.

C. Cycle length ÷ monthly performance
Incorrect. While monthly performance might be relevant in performance tracking, SAP standard logic relies on annualized performance to normalize across the year. Monthly figures may fluctuate, leading to inaccuracies in maintenance prediction.

D. Cycle length ÷ (annual performance ÷ 365)
Correct. This option provides the accurate formula for converting performance units into a calendar interval. First, annual performance is divided by 365 to determine daily performance. Then, the cycle length is divided by this daily figure, resulting in the number of days until the next planned maintenance task.

For example, if your cycle is 1,000 operating hours and the equipment runs 3,650 hours per year, then daily performance is 10 hours per day. The interval becomes 1,000 ÷ 10 = 100 days from the start date.

This method allows SAP to generate maintenance dates that align closely with actual wear and tear, making plans more dynamic and cost-effective.

In conclusion, option D accurately reflects SAP’s logic for calculating intervals in a performance-based plan, ensuring optimal timing for preventive maintenance based on real equipment usage.

Question 5:

A maintenance engineer sets up a strategy plan where maintenance orders are generated as call objects and configures the shift factor to 100%. If a maintenance task is delayed, which date does the system use to recalculate the future planned dates?

A. Planned end date of the maintenance order
B. Actual finish date of the maintenance order
C. Planned date of the next call, independent of maintenance order dates
D. Technical completion date of the maintenance order

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

In SAP Plant Maintenance (PM), a strategy plan is a proactive scheduling method based on time- or performance-related criteria. When a maintenance plan is created using a strategy, it can generate call objects like maintenance orders for each cycle. The shift factor setting is critical in determining how delays or early completions impact the next scheduled maintenance.

In this case, the shift factor is set to 100%, which means any delay or advance in the maintenance cycle is carried forward entirely to the next cycle. When there is a delay in completing a maintenance order, the system needs a reference point to realign the future dates. This reference point becomes crucial in keeping the strategy plan aligned with the actual maintenance performance.

Let’s evaluate the options:

• A. Planned end date of the maintenance order: This date represents when the task should have been completed but doesn’t account for any real-world delays. Hence, it is not suitable for rescheduling when actual completion times deviate.

• B. Actual finish date of the maintenance order: This is the correct choice. When the shift factor is 100%, the system recalculates future planned dates based on when the maintenance was actually finished. This ensures the entire plan shifts forward by the delay, maintaining consistent intervals between tasks and preventing maintenance overlap or excessive downtime.

• C. Planned date of the next call, independent of maintenance order dates: This option is not applicable in this context. If shift factors were ignored or set to 0%, then the next planned date might remain unchanged, but not when 100% shift is used.

• D. Technical completion date of the maintenance order: This reflects when the order was technically completed in the system but may include delays in system updates. It does not necessarily represent when the maintenance task was physically completed.

In conclusion, when using strategy plans with a 100% shift factor, the actual finish date is used to calculate future planned dates. This setting ensures the maintenance schedule reflects real-world execution and not just ideal planning timelines.

Question 6:

When setting up a new maintenance plan category in SAP PM, which of the following parameters can be configured? (Choose three.)

A. Completion date
B. Call object
C. Change documents
D. Order type
E. Maintenance activity type

Correct Answer: B, D, E

Explanation:

In SAP Plant Maintenance (PM), a maintenance plan category defines how a maintenance plan behaves and which objects or parameters it supports. When creating or customizing a new category, certain attributes can be configured to influence how the plan generates and manages maintenance calls and orders.

Let’s examine each of the listed parameters:

• A. Completion date: This is not a definable parameter within the maintenance plan category. The completion date is a result of executing a maintenance order and marks when the task was actually finished. It is captured during order processing, not at the category definition level.

• B. Call object: This is a correct choice. The call object defines what will be generated when the plan is executed — such as maintenance notifications or maintenance orders. It directly determines the type of follow-up action initiated by the plan and is one of the most critical settings for a maintenance plan category.

• C. Change documents: These are audit trails that record changes made to various SAP objects, including maintenance plans. While useful for tracking history, they are not part of the configurable parameters of a maintenance plan category itself.

• D. Order type: This is a valid and important parameter. It specifies the default order type that will be used when the system creates a maintenance order from a call. For example, the system can generate a preventive or corrective maintenance order depending on what is defined here. This streamlines the maintenance process and ensures consistency in order creation.

• E. Maintenance activity type: This parameter defines what kind of activity the generated maintenance order should represent — such as inspection, servicing, or repair. This categorization is important for reporting, cost tracking, and execution planning.

To summarize, when defining a new maintenance plan category, the relevant and configurable parameters include the call object, order type, and maintenance activity type. These elements control how the maintenance plan operates, what it triggers, and how resulting maintenance work is categorized and processed in the system. Configuring them correctly ensures that maintenance operations align with organizational procedures and asset management goals.

Question 7:

You are designing a single-cycle maintenance plan with a cycle duration of 12 months. The scheduling indicator is set to "Time - key date," and your goal is to have maintenance orders generated exactly three months before their respective planned execution dates. 

Which settings will help achieve this? (Choose two.)

A. Define the call horizon as 90 days.
B. Set the call horizon to 25%.
C. Set the call horizon to 75%.
D. Configure the offset to 3 months.

Correct Answer: A, D

Explanation:

In SAP Plant Maintenance (PM), a single-cycle plan schedules preventive maintenance based on a fixed time interval. In this scenario, the cycle is 12 months, and the maintenance order should be triggered 3 months in advance. To meet this requirement, two important parameters must be considered: the call horizon and the offset.

The call horizon determines how far in advance the system should generate a maintenance call before the scheduled date. If the plan runs every 12 months and you want the work order to be created 3 months before the due date, the call horizon must represent this 3-month period. Option A is correct because setting the call horizon to 90 days explicitly instructs the system to trigger maintenance calls three months prior to their planned execution. This direct configuration ensures predictability and consistency in how early the orders are generated.

Option D is also correct. The offset value adjusts when the plan actually starts relative to the cycle. Setting an offset of 3 months pushes the plan back by three months, aligning the notification or order call timing to occur earlier. The offset is particularly useful when you need to shift the cycle start or align it with another operational calendar.

Option B, which suggests setting the call horizon to 25%, is technically not incorrect since 25% of 12 months is indeed 3 months. However, it's not the most precise or commonly used method in practice. In critical maintenance environments, specifying an exact number of days (like 90) is preferred over percentages for clarity.

Option C, the 75% call horizon, is incorrect because it triggers the maintenance order after 9 months—only 3 months before the end of the cycle. This doesn’t align with the intention of calling the order 3 months before the planned date—it simply generates the order too late in the cycle to be considered proactive.

In conclusion, to ensure your maintenance orders are generated well in advance—specifically 3 months ahead—you should configure the call horizon to 90 days and set an offset of 3 months. These settings work together to bring forward the order generation, helping you maintain equipment reliability and meet compliance or inspection schedules efficiently.

Question 8:

You are preparing a general maintenance task list intended for inspection rounds. You aim to simplify the measurement documentation process by leveraging overall time confirmation. 

What actions are required to make this possible? (Choose two.)

A. Link a measuring point as a production resource/tool (PRT) to a task list operation.
B. Attach a piece of equipment with an associated measuring point to a task list operation.
C. Use an inspection document as a PRT for the task list operation.
D. Connect an inspection lot to the task list header.

Correct Answer: A, B

Explanation:

When using SAP PM to manage inspection rounds, it's often necessary to collect measurement readings during execution. One efficient way to streamline this process is by using the overall time confirmation method, which allows maintenance technicians to record both time and measurement readings in a simplified workflow.

To support this setup, the task list must include measuring points—either directly or indirectly—so that the system can prompt for measurements during confirmation.

Option A is correct because assigning a measuring point as a production resource/tool (PRT) to a task list operation provides a flexible and effective way to incorporate measurement readings into the maintenance workflow. This configuration ensures that the measuring point is available during execution, prompting the technician to input readings when confirming the task.

Option B is also correct. Assigning a piece of equipment that already has a measuring point to a task list operation links that equipment’s measurement data directly to the inspection activity. This integration is key for effective inspection rounds since the system can automatically recognize what data needs to be collected and guide the user accordingly during the time confirmation process.

Option C is incorrect. An inspection document is generally used within the Quality Management (QM) module and is not relevant or valid as a PRT within maintenance operations. Its role is more focused on tracking quality-related inspection results rather than enabling measurement readings within PM task lists.

Option D is also incorrect. An inspection lot is typically created in QM for controlling and documenting inspection processes. It is not applicable to task list headers in PM, especially not for simplifying the measurement recording process during maintenance work.

To summarize, when your objective is to capture measurement data efficiently during inspection rounds through the overall time confirmation, you should ensure the task list includes:

1. A measuring point assigned as a PRT (to make the point available during the task),

2. An equipment with a linked measuring point (to track data against specific technical objects).

These actions ensure the system prompts for and records the required measurements automatically, minimizing manual entry and supporting compliance and asset reliability.

Question 9:

You have defined two separate maintenance packages, but you want them to be executed one after another—not simultaneously. 

Which parameter should you configure to control the execution order?

A. Lead flow
B. Hierarchy
C. Cycle set sequence
D. Package sequence

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

In SAP Plant Maintenance (PM), the coordination and scheduling of multiple maintenance packages are essential for effective and uninterrupted operations. When you need to ensure that maintenance packages are carried out in a specific order—meaning only one is executed at a time—you must use the Package sequence parameter. This parameter defines a strict execution hierarchy, ensuring that packages are performed sequentially rather than concurrently.

Let’s break down the options to understand their roles:

• A. Lead flow: This parameter is associated with how operations within a single maintenance order are scheduled in sequence. It influences the scheduling of operations based on start and finish dependencies, but it does not control the execution order of multiple maintenance packages. Therefore, it is not applicable when your goal is to enforce the exclusive execution of one package at a time.

• B. Hierarchy: This refers to structural relationships among maintenance tasks or packages, such as grouping or subordinating them. While a hierarchy defines dependencies or parent-child relationships, it does not regulate execution timing or enforce sequential processing. It’s more about structure than timing.

• C. Cycle set sequence: This is used in the context of time-based or performance-based strategies and determines the order of cycles in a maintenance strategy. However, it relates to scheduling periodic events rather than controlling which package is executed exclusively or in what specific order.

• D. Package sequence: This is the correct answer. When configuring multiple maintenance packages that should not overlap, the package sequence controls the exact order in which the packages are executed. By assigning different sequence numbers to each package, you ensure that they are scheduled one after another, following your operational or safety requirements.

In real-world applications, maintenance teams often need to prevent conflicting activities—such as servicing multiple related components at the same time—to avoid operational risks or inefficiencies. Using the package sequence setting helps enforce this by ensuring that only one package is active at any given time. This adds clarity to your maintenance planning and avoids unintentional overlaps in scheduled tasks.

Question 10:

You want to configure a maintenance plan where the first maintenance occurs after 12 months, followed by recurring maintenance every 6 months. 

Which configuration setting should you use to define this timeline?

A. Maintenance package offset
B. Maintenance plan category
C. Shift factor
D. Scheduling indicator

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

When creating a time-based maintenance plan in SAP PM that has a unique timing pattern—such as a one-time delay before the first maintenance task and regular cycles afterward—you need to use the Maintenance package offset parameter. This setting enables you to define a non-uniform schedule, where the first maintenance event is deliberately delayed (for example, to allow a warranty period to expire) and subsequent maintenance cycles are more frequent.

Here is a closer look at the answer options:

• A. Maintenance package offset: This is the correct answer. The package offset lets you delay the execution of a particular package beyond the general start of the maintenance strategy. In this scenario, the first event happens one year after the plan starts, and then maintenance continues every six months. By assigning an offset to the first package, you can achieve this customized scheduling. The system then uses this offset to correctly time all subsequent events based on the defined cycle.

• B. Maintenance plan category: While this setting is important for determining the overall type of maintenance plan (e.g., time-based or performance-based), it does not define when individual tasks occur. It merely categorizes the plan but doesn't allow for specific offsets between events.

• C. Shift factor: This parameter is used to adjust scheduled dates when delays or early completions occur. It is especially useful for shifting future maintenance dates based on actual performance, but it doesn't play a role in defining the initial schedule or cycle gap. Therefore, it is irrelevant in setting a one-time offset before the first maintenance task.

• D. Scheduling indicator: This controls how maintenance calls are generated—based on time, performance, or other metrics—but it doesn’t allow you to set specific delays or offsets. It helps define the scheduling method, not the timing of individual tasks within the method.

By using the Maintenance package offset, you ensure that your first maintenance task occurs after a defined time delay—such as a year—and that all future tasks follow a consistent interval, like every six months. This flexibility is vital in real-world scenarios where initial maintenance may need to be postponed due to operational or contractual constraints.