How do loose and strict interlocking differ in SAP Master Data Governance?

In SAP Master Data Governance, the differentiation between loose and strict interlocking is fundamentally rooted in the scope of data locking within the hierarchy of master data.

Loose interlocking is designed to allow modifications at different levels of the hierarchy without impacting the entire structure. Specifically, when a loose lock is applied, only the child elements that are directly associated with a modified parent are affected. This means that while certain changes are happening, other parts of the hierarchy can still be edited independently, allowing for greater flexibility and collaboration among different users.

In contrast, strict interlocking applies a more comprehensive restriction. When a strict lock is initiated, it encompasses the entire hierarchy of master data, preventing any edits from being made until the lock is released. This approach ensures data integrity and consistency but restricts the ability of users to make parallel edits, which could slow down workflows.

Therefore, the delineation in how each method manages data access governs their application in various contexts within SAP MDG, leading to the conclusion that loose locks pertain only to next child elements while strict locks effectively control the entire hierarchy.