When quality inspection is integrated with Sales and Distribution (SD), at which point can the goods issue for an outbound delivery normally be posted?

Introduction / Context:
In many SAP implementations, Quality Management (QM) is integrated with Sales and Distribution (SD) so that goods can only be shipped after quality checks have been completed. When an outbound delivery is created, the system may automatically create an inspection lot. The timing of the goods issue posting is then linked to the outcome of this inspection. Understanding exactly when goods issue is allowed is crucial for ensuring that only inspected and released materials are sent to the customer, which supports both compliance and customer satisfaction.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Quality Management (QM) is integrated with SD for outbound deliveries.
- An inspection lot is created for the relevant material or batch before shipping.
- Goods issue (GI) should reflect the movement of inspected and accepted goods to the customer.
- The question asks at which point GI can normally be posted when an inspection lot is required.

Concept / Approach:
When QM is active, material is typically placed in a quality inspection stock upon delivery or before shipment. The inspection lot must be processed by quality inspectors, who record results and make a usage decision such as accepted or rejected. Only after the inspection lot has been accepted and the stock is released from quality inspection to unrestricted use or to a relevant status is the system configured to allow the goods issue for the outbound delivery. Posting GI earlier, for example directly at delivery creation or during picking, would undermine the purpose of quality inspection and could lead to shipping non-conforming products.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that the integration of QM with SD means that an inspection lot is created for the delivery quantity and stock is held in quality inspection. Step 2: Recall that quality inspectors must record results and make a positive usage decision on the inspection lot before the stock is released for shipping. Step 3: Understand that goods issue represents the legal and logistical shipment of goods to the customer and should only occur once quality approval is granted. Step 4: Compare this process with the alternative points listed, such as at delivery creation, transfer order creation, or picking confirmation, and notice that these occur before the quality decision in a typical process. Step 5: Conclude that GI can normally be posted only after the inspection lot has been accepted in Quality Management.

Verification / Alternative check:
In an SAP system with QM integrated into SD, attempt to post goods issue for a delivery before completing the inspection lot. You will typically receive an error or warning message indicating that the quality inspection or usage decision is still pending. Once the inspector enters results and sets the usage decision to accepted, you can then return to the delivery and post GI successfully. Configuration settings in QM and SD integration also specify the stock posting logic from quality inspection to unrestricted or other stock types, reinforcing that GI is allowed only after acceptance. These behaviours confirm the correct timing.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B is wrong because posting GI immediately upon delivery creation would ignore the inspection process entirely and contradict the purpose of QM integration. Option C is incorrect since creating a transfer order for warehouse picking is a warehouse management step and does not by itself signify that quality inspection has been completed. Option D is wrong because confirming picking quantities only shows that the goods were physically picked; it does not guarantee that the inspection lot has been accepted or that the quality status is suitable for shipment.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to focus solely on warehouse and shipping activities and forget that quality status can block goods issue. Users may attempt to troubleshoot GI errors by looking only at picking or route data without checking the inspection lot. Another pitfall is confusing the confirmation of picking with confirmation of quality, which are separate steps. Remember that in configurations where QM is integrated with SD, quality release is a prerequisite for goods issue. This ensures that only conforming products leave the warehouse, protecting both the company and the customer.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is After the inspection lot has been accepted in Quality Management, because in a process where QM is integrated with SD, the goods issue for an outbound delivery is normally allowed only once the inspection results have been recorded and the usage decision has released the stock for shipment.