In SAP Sales and Distribution scheduling, under which condition does the system perform forward scheduling rather than backward scheduling when determining confirmed dates?

Introduction / Context:
SAP Sales and Distribution uses scheduling logic to determine important dates in the order to cash process, such as material availability date, transportation planning date, loading date, and goods issue date. Two main approaches are backward scheduling and forward scheduling. Backward scheduling starts from the requested delivery date and works backward, while forward scheduling starts from a known starting date and works forward. Understanding when the system applies forward scheduling is important for analysing confirmed dates and is a common subject in SD exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- We are dealing with delivery and transportation scheduling in SD. - The system can use backward or forward scheduling based on configuration. - The question focuses on the condition that causes forward scheduling. - We assume standard SD configuration options where backward scheduling can be deactivated.

Concept / Approach:
Backward scheduling assumes a requested delivery date and works backward by subtracting lead times for transportation, loading, and picking to determine when materials must be available. In some scenarios, the system or business requirements may not use backward scheduling, for example when the business wants to confirm the earliest possible delivery date starting from the material availability date. In such cases, the system performs forward scheduling, adding lead times to the starting date. Therefore, one key condition for forward scheduling is when backward scheduling is not configured or is bypassed, causing the system to schedule only forward from the material availability date or today.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the difference between backward and forward scheduling. Step 2: Consider how configuration flags in SD define whether backward scheduling is used for a particular sales area or schedule line category. Step 3: Recognise that if backward scheduling is switched off, the system cannot start from a requested delivery date and must instead start from a starting date and move forward. Step 4: Examine the options and identify the one that clearly states that backward scheduling is not configured and the system schedules from the material availability date into the future. Step 5: Select that option as the condition under which forward scheduling is used.

Verification / Alternative check:
Imagine a scenario where the business always wants to promise the earliest possible delivery date, regardless of the customer requested date. Configuration is set so that scheduling always starts from today or from the material availability date. In this case, the system adds transportation and loading lead times to that starting date, which is forward scheduling. No backward calculation from the requested delivery date takes place. This example matches the description of the correct option and confirms that the absence of backward scheduling configuration leads to forward scheduling.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A: When backward scheduling finds an earlier material availability date, that still belongs to backward scheduling logic and does not by itself cause forward scheduling. Option C: A configuration that uses only backward scheduling would prevent forward scheduling from being used, which is the opposite of what the question asks. Option D: Transportation lead time influences dates within a chosen scheduling method but does not by itself force the system to use forward scheduling.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners often assume that any scheduling difficulty automatically triggers forward scheduling, even when backward scheduling is configured. Another common pitfall is mixing up the technical configuration condition with business descriptions such as late requested dates. Always separate the logic that selects the scheduling method from the calculations that follow. When answering exam questions, look for wording that explicitly states whether backward scheduling is active or not, since this is the key driver for selecting forward scheduling in many standard scenarios.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is When backward scheduling is not configured and the system schedules from the material availability date into the future.