Here’s a simple breakdown of Control Key vs.
Standard Value Key in SAP PP with clear
explanations.
1. Control Key
The Control Key determines how an operation is executed in a production order.
What does it control?
✅ Scheduling – Whether the operation is considered in scheduling
✅ Capacity Planning – Whether the operation affects capacity
✅ Costing – Whether costs are calculated
✅ Goods Movements – Whether automatic goods movement occurs
✅ Internal/External Processing – Whether the operation is performed internally or
externally
Example:
A company ABC Ltd. manufactures metallic shafts with three operations:
Operation No. Operation Name Control Key
0010 Cutting PP01
0020 Heat Treatment PP02
0030 Quality Inspection PP03
How the Control Key Works in These Operations?
1- Operation 0010 – Cutting (PP01 – Standard Production)
Internal process
Considered in capacity planning
Automatic confirmation is possible
2- Operation 0020 – Heat Treatment (PP02 – External Processing)
Performed at an external vendor
System automatically creates a purchase requisition (PR)
Goods are received after processing
3- Operation 0030 – Quality Inspection (PP03 – Subcontracting)
Subcontractor performs the operation
Raw material is provided to the vendor
System generates a subcontracting purchase order (PO)
Key Takeaway:
🔹 The Control Key determines whether an operation is internal or external and which SAP
system functionalities are triggered.
2. Standard Value Key
The Standard Value Key defines time parameters for operations in a Work Centre.
What does it define?
🔹 Setup Time – Time needed to prepare machines
🔹 Machine Time – Time the machine runs
🔹 Labor Time – Time spent by workers
Example:
At ABC Ltd., the Cutting Work Centre has a Standard Value Key: SAP1 with three
parameters:
Parameter Value
Setup Time 10 minutes per piece
Machine Time 15 minutes per piece
Labor Time 12 minutes per piece
If a Production Order is Created for 10 Shafts
📌 Total Setup Time = 10 minutes (Fixed)
📌 Total Machine Time = 15 × 10 = 150 minutes
📌 Total Labor Time = 12 × 10 = 120 minutes
Key Takeaway:
✅ Standard Value Key defines which time-based values (Setup, Machine, Labor) are used
in a Work Centre.
✅ It affects Capacity Planning and Cost Calculation.
Key Differences: Control Key vs. Standard Value Key
Feature Control Key Standard Value Key
Defines which time
Definition Defines how an operation is executed
parameters are used
Found In Routing (Operation Level) Work Centre
Scheduling, costing, capacity, confirmation, Time values like Setup,
Controls
external processing Machine, Labor
Example
PP01, PP02, PP03 SAP1, SAP2
Values
Decides if operation is internal/external, needs Defines standard times for
Usage
confirmation, affects costing an operation
Determines system behaviour for production Affects capacity planning
Impact
operations and cost calculation
Summary with Example
🔹 Company: ABC Ltd.
🔹 Product: Metallic Shafts
🔹 Operations: Cutting, Heat Treatment, Quality Inspection
🔹 Work Centre (Cutting): Uses Standard Value Key SAP1 (Setup, Machine, Labor Time)
🔹 Routing Operations: Uses Control Keys (PP01, PP02, PP03) for different behaviours.
SAP System Result:
✅ SAP calculates internal operation costs for machine and labor.
✅ SAP creates purchase orders for external operations.
✅ SAP schedules work based on Standard Value Key times.
Thanks
Vikas Singh
SAP PP QM Functional consultant
