Define Relationship Types in SAP FSCM

Relationship types identify the specific relationship that can exist between two SAP Business Partners. In SAP Financial Supply Chain Management, each relationship type is assigned to a relationship category that controls the basic characteristics of the relationship.

This tutorial explains how to define relationship types in SAP FSCM through the SAP Reference IMG. The configuration includes creating a relationship type key, entering its description, and assigning the appropriate relationship category.

SAP Relationship Type Configuration Path

  • Transaction code: SPRO
  • IMG path: SPRO > Financial Supply Chain Management > Treasury and Risk Management > Basic Functions > SAP Business Partner for Financial Services > General Settings > Business Partner Relationships > Basic Settings > Define Relationship Types

Before creating a relationship type, confirm that the required relationship category is already available. The relationship category provides the technical framework, while the relationship type supplies the business-specific name used during Business Partner maintenance.

Open the SAP Reference IMG

Step 1: Enter transaction code SPRO in the SAP command field and press Enter.

SPRO SAP Reference IMG Transaction code

Step 2: On the Customizing screen, choose SAP Reference IMG.

SAP GRC - SAP Reference IMG

Navigate to Define Relationship Types in SAP

Step 3: In the Display IMG screen, follow this menu path:

Financial Supply Chain Management > Treasury and Risk Management > Basic Functions > SAP Business Partner for Financial Services > General Settings > Business Partner Relationships > Basic Settings > Define Relationship Types

Select the IMG activity Define Relationship Types to open the relationship type maintenance view.

Define Relationship Types in SAP menu path

Create a New Business Partner Relationship Type

Step 4: The Change View: BP Relationship Types overview screen displays the relationship types already configured in the system. Review the existing entries to avoid creating a duplicate key, and then choose New Entries.

New entries BP relationship types in SAP FSCM

Step 5: On the New Entries screen, maintain the following fields for the new Business Partner relationship type.

  • RelType: Enter a unique key for the relationship type. Use the naming convention approved for your SAP system.
  • Description: Enter a clear business description that users can recognize when maintaining Business Partner relationships.
  • RelCat: Assign the relevant relationship category. The selected category determines the underlying behavior of the relationship.
Define Relationship Types in SAP FSCM

Save the SAP FSCM Relationship Type

Step 6: Press Enter to validate the values, and then choose the Save icon. When SAP prompts for a Customizing request, select an existing transport request or create a new one according to your system’s transport procedure.

After saving, return to the overview screen and confirm that the new relationship type appears with the correct description and relationship category.

Relationship Type and Relationship Category Difference

A relationship category and a relationship type are related but serve different purposes in SAP Business Partner configuration.

  • Relationship category: Defines the technical and structural characteristics of a Business Partner relationship.
  • Relationship type: Provides the business-specific key and description assigned to that category.

Several relationship types may be created for business use, but each type must reference an appropriate relationship category. Selecting the wrong category can cause the relationship to behave differently from the intended business requirement.

Checks After Defining Relationship Types in SAP FSCM

  • Confirm that the relationship type key is unique.
  • Verify that the description clearly identifies the business relationship.
  • Check that the assigned relationship category matches the intended relationship behavior.
  • Confirm that the configuration was saved in the correct Customizing transport request.
  • Test the relationship type in Business Partner maintenance before moving the configuration to another system.

SAP Relationship Type Configuration FAQs

What is a relationship type in SAP Business Partner?

A relationship type is a business-specific identifier used to describe how two Business Partners are related. It is assigned to a relationship category that controls the basic relationship structure.

Why must a relationship category be assigned to a relationship type?

The relationship category supplies the technical definition and behavior of the relationship. A relationship type cannot function correctly without being assigned to a suitable category.

Can an existing SAP relationship type key be reused?

No. The relationship type key should be unique within the configuration table. Review the overview screen before creating a new entry.

Does defining a relationship type require a transport request?

In a transport-managed SAP landscape, saving this Customizing configuration normally requires a transport request so the setting can be moved through the system landscape.