Table MBEW Field HKMAT - Impact on variances

Question

Can anyone tell me the impact of having the box called "Material Origin" checked or unchecked when variances are calculated?  The check box appears to update the value in Table MBEW  Field HKMAT. 
We have already set standard costs for the year, but I am seeing large differences between the amounts/quantities for the 261 entries versus what the cost estimates show.  We are using backflush. 
There is no difference between the costing BOM and the production BOM for the parent item (which is the item that did NOT have the box checked when we created standards).  The variances are showing for its component items (which are all ROH's).  The user ID in the 261 transactions is the "system ID" user, so I know the entries were created by the backflush operation.
Would this check box cause the variances I am seeing, or would the effects of that check box be something different, like maybe an incorrect cost element?

Answer 1

Hello Micheal,
The Material Origin flag simply means that after the variance is run you will be able to see the material related information in the analysis reports. If you do not check this box you will simply see the consumption account and the variance, no reference to the actual material. This flag will not cause variances.
Unfortunately, there are many possibilities why you are seeing variances. Here are some options:
1.) Are your raw materials valued at moving average i.e. Price Control V in the material master? If so this will cause variances in the amounts because the materials are issued to the order at moving average price.
2.) Do your operators have the ability to adjust the quantities during the backflush? In the standard SAP backflush transaction it is possible to change the quantities consumed during the backflush regardless of what is actually on the BOM. If your production department is using this, this could account for your quantities differences.
3.) What about scrap factors? There are many places where scrap factors can be maintained i.e. the MRP 4 view of the material master, the routing, and the BOM. These scrap factors will increase the amount of materials consumed during the backflush. If these were added after your costing was completed this could account for your variance.
4.) Posting of scrap. Is scrap posted directly to the production orders? If so this can cause quantity variance.
It is a painful process but the best way to analyze variances is to take one part and try to follow it all the way back through the production process.
I hope that these options help point you in the right direction.
John.