Odoo Standard Workflows

Complete Guide to Standard Workflows in Odoo Enterprise Edition

Introduction

Odoo Enterprise Edition comes with numerous pre-configured workflows designed to streamline business operations across different functional areas. This comprehensive guide catalogs the standard workflows available in Odoo Enterprise, explaining each process step-by-step and highlighting configuration options. Understanding these default workflows helps organizations determine how closely Odoo's standard processes match their business needs.

The guide covers:

1. Sales & CRM Workflows: Lead to customer, order to cash, subscription management
2. Purchase & Procurement Workflows: Procurement to payment, dropshipping, replenishment planning
3. Manufacturing Workflows: Production planning, manufacturing execution, product engineering
4. Inventory & Warehouse Workflows: Inventory management, advanced operations, lot/serial tracking
5. Financial Workflows: Accounts receivable, accounts payable, general ledger, asset management
6. Human Resources Workflows: Recruitment, employee onboarding, time off management, expenses
7. Project Management Workflows: Project planning, execution, billing
8. Website & eCommerce Workflows: Content management, order fulfillment, customer service
9. Cross-Functional Workflows: Document management, approvals, intercompany processes
10. Service Management Workflows: Field service, helpdesk, subscription services
11. Marketing Workflows: Campaigns, lead generation, email marketing

For each workflow, the guide provides:

• A clear purpose statement
• Detailed step-by-step process descriptions
• Configuration options and customization points

The guide concludes with sections on configuration methods, best practices for implementation, and guidance on workflow optimization.

This resource will help businesses understand Odoo's default capabilities and determine how well they align with their specific requirements before implementation.

Sales & CRM Workflows

1. Lead to Customer Workflow

Purpose: Convert prospective leads into customers through qualification and opportunity management.

Workflow Steps:

1. Lead Creation
   • Manual entry
   • Website form submission
   • Email gateway
   • Import from spreadsheet
   • Marketing automation
2. Lead Qualification
   • Scoring based on predefined criteria
   • Assignment to appropriate sales team
3. Convert to Opportunity
   • Lead becomes opportunity with probability
   • Opportunity linked to sales team
4. Opportunity Management
   • Progress through sales stages
   • Activity tracking and scheduling
   • Document attachment and sharing
5. Quotation Creation
   • Product selection and pricing
   • Optional application of discounts
   • Terms and conditions configuration
6. Quotation Sending
   • Email to prospect
   • Optional online signature request
7. Quotation Follow-up
   • Automated reminders
   • Activity scheduling
8. Quotation to Sales Order
   • Conversion upon customer acceptance
   • Digital signature capture
9. Customer Creation
   • Lead converted to customer record
   • Opportunity marked as won

Configuration Options:

• Customizable sales stages
• Lead scoring parameters
• Auto-assignment rules
• Probability percentages
• Activity types and deadlines

2. Order to Cash Workflow

Purpose: Process customer orders through fulfillment, invoicing, and payment collection.

Workflow Steps:

1. Sales Order Creation
   • From quotation conversion
   • Direct creation
   • eCommerce order
2. Sales Order Confirmation
   • Inventory reservation
   • Delivery planning
3. Delivery Order Creation
   • Automatic creation from sales order
   • Scheduled based on product availability
4. Picking Operations
   • Warehouse pick list generation
   • Barcode scanning for picking
   • Quality checks (if configured)
5. Delivery Validation
   • Product quantities confirmed
   • Shipping details recorded
   • Shipping labels generated
6. Invoice Creation
   • Automatic or manual creation
   • Based on delivery or order
7. Invoice Validation
   • Accounting entries created
   • Due date established
8. Payment Collection
   • Manual recording
   • Online payment
   • Batch processing
9. Payment Reconciliation
   • Matching payments to invoices
   • Updating customer balances

Configuration Options:

• Invoice policy (ordered, delivered quantities)
• Shipping methods
• Payment terms
• Delivery lead times
• Partial delivery handling

3. Subscription Management Workflow

Purpose: Handle recurring services or products with automated renewals and billing.

Workflow Steps:

1. Subscription Creation
   • From sales order
   • Direct creation
   • Template application
2. Recurring Invoice Generation
   • Automatic creation based on schedule
   • Prorated as needed
3. Renewal Management
   • Automatic renewal
   • Renewal notification
   • Upsell/cross-sell opportunity
4. Subscription Updates
   • Quantity changes
   • Product/service changes
   • Pause/resume functionality
5. Churn Management
   • Cancellation request handling
   • Win-back opportunity creation
6. Subscription Analytics
   • MRR/ARR tracking
   • Churn analysis
   • Expansion revenue tracking

Configuration Options:

• Billing cycles (monthly, quarterly, annual)
• Prorating rules
• Trial period settings
• Automatic renewal settings
• Close reason tracking

Purchase & Procurement Workflows

1. Procurement to Payment Workflow

Purpose: Manage the process of requesting, ordering, receiving, and paying for goods or services.

Workflow Steps:

1. Purchase Request
   • Manual creation
   • Automatic generation from reordering rules
   • Requisition conversion
2. Request for Quotation (RFQ)
   • Vendor selection
   • Product and quantity specification
   • Delivery date request
3. Vendor Quotation
   • Receipt and recording
   • Comparison between vendors
4. Purchase Order Creation
   • From selected vendor quotation
   • Approval workflow (if configured)
5. Purchase Order Confirmation
   • Sending to vendor
   • Acknowledgment tracking
6. Receipt of Goods
   • Partial or complete receipts
   • Quality control (if configured)
   • Lot/serial tracking
7. Vendor Bill Reception
   • Manual entry
   • OCR processing (with Documents module)
   • 3-way matching (PO, receipt, invoice)
8. Bill Validation
   • Approval workflow
   • Accounting entries creation
9. Payment Preparation
   • Grouping by vendor
   • Payment method selection
10. Payment Execution
    • Manual recording
    • Batch payment processing
    • Electronic payment export

Configuration Options:

• Approval hierarchies
• Receipt policies
• Quality control parameters
• Matching tolerance percentages
• Payment batch rules

2. Dropshipping Workflow

Purpose: Fulfill customer orders directly from vendors without handling the inventory.

Workflow Steps:

1. Sales Order Creation
   • Dropship route selection (automatic or manual)
2. Purchase Order Generation
   • Automatic creation from sales order
   • Linking to specific sales order line
3. Purchase Order Processing
   • Vendor confirmation
   • Shipping address (customer's address)
4. Delivery Tracking
   • Vendor shipping notification
   • Tracking information recording
5. Goods Receipt
   • Virtual receipt process
   • No physical inventory movement
6. Customer Delivery Update
   • Automated delivery confirmation
   • Tracking information sharing
7. Invoicing Process
   • Customer invoicing
   • Vendor bill processing

Configuration Options:

• Automatic route selection rules
• Vendor preferences
• Shipping cost handling
• Delay tolerances
• Customer communication templates

3. Replenishment Planning Workflow

Purpose: Ensure optimal inventory levels through automated reordering.

Workflow Steps:

1. Reordering Rule Configuration
   • Min/max inventory levels
   • Safety stock definitions
   • Preferred vendors
2. Inventory Monitoring
   • Real-time stock level tracking
   • Forecast consideration
3. Replenishment Suggestion
   • Automatic creation of suggestions
   • Grouping by vendor
4. Replenishment Order Approval
   • Review of suggestions
   • Modification if needed
5. Purchase/Manufacturing Orders
   • Automatic or manual creation
   • Lead time consideration
6. Replenishment Execution
   • Tracking of incoming goods
   • Manufacturing progress
7. Inventory Update
   • Stock level adjustment
   • Availability for reservation

Configuration Options:

• Forecast period
• Seasonal adjustments
• Lead time calculations
• Order grouping rules
• Safety stock computation methods

Manufacturing Workflows

1. Production Planning Workflow

Purpose: Schedule and coordinate manufacturing activities based on demand and capacity.

Workflow Steps:

1. Demand Analysis
   • Sales order review
   • Forecast consideration
   • Inventory level check
2. Master Production Scheduling
   • Production period definition
   • Capacity review
   • Resource allocation
3. Material Requirements Planning
   • Component requirement calculation
   • Make or buy decisions
   • Procurement suggestions
4. Production Order Creation
   • Manual or automatic generation
   • Scheduling based on capacity
5. Production Order Release
   • Material availability check
   • Work center availability check
6. Component Reservation
   • Automatic or manual allocation
   • Lot selection (if applicable)
7. Production Monitoring
   • Progress tracking
   • Bottleneck identification
8. Production Rescheduling
   • As needed based on capacity or material constraints
   • Priority adjustment

Configuration Options:

• Planning horizons
• Capacity calculation methods
• Production lead times
• Manufacturing calendar
• Work order sequencing rules

2. Manufacturing Execution Workflow

Purpose: Execute production orders on the shop floor with time, quality, and material tracking.

Workflow Steps:

1. Work Order Distribution
   • Assignment to work centers
   • Operator assignment
2. Material Picking
   • Component gathering
   • Delivery to work centers
3. Production Start
   • Recording start time
   • Operator logging
4. Operation Execution
   • Time tracking
   • Quantity reporting
5. Quality Control
   • In-process inspections
   • Parameter recording
6. Subassembly Management
   • Tracking intermediary products
   • Movements between work centers
7. Reporting Issues
   • Scrap recording
   • Maintenance requests
   • Quality alerts
8. Operation Completion
   • Recording end time
   • Actual vs. planned analysis
9. Final Product Completion
   • Finished goods receipt
   • Quality inspection
   • Lot/serial assignment
10. Production Order Closing
    • Cost calculation
    • Variance analysis

Configuration Options:

• Work center operation details
• Quality check points
• Time tracking methods
• Tablet/mobile interface settings
• Barcode/RFID integration

3. Product Engineering Workflow

Purpose: Manage product designs, bills of materials, and engineering changes.

Workflow Steps:

1. Product Design
   • Specification definition
   • Attribute configuration
2. Bill of Materials Creation
   • Component selection
   • Quantity determination
   • Operation mapping
3. Routing Definition
   • Work center sequence
   • Operation time estimation
   • Tool requirements
4. Engineering Validation
   • BOM review
   • Cost calculation
   • Feasibility assessment
5. Version Control
   • Revision management
   • Effective date tracking
6. Engineering Change Order
   • Change request
   • Impact assessment
   • Approval process
7. Implementation Planning
   • Transition timing
   • Inventory consumption planning
8. Change Implementation
   • BOM/routing update
   • Documentation update
   • Training coordination

Configuration Options:

• Revision numbering schemes
• Approval workflows
• BOM levels
• Cost roll-up methods
• ECO categories

Inventory & Warehouse Workflows

1. Inventory Management Workflow

Purpose: Track and control inventory levels, movements, and valuation.

Workflow Steps:

1. Product Receipt
   • From vendor
   • From manufacturing
   • From another location
2. Quality Inspection
   • Sample testing
   • Parameter verification
3. Put-away Operation
   • Location determination
   • Storage execution
4. Inventory Adjustment
   • Cycle counting
   • Physical inventory
   • Discrepancy resolution
5. Internal Transfers
   • Request creation
   • Picking operation
   • Transfer validation
6. Reservation Management
   • Automatic for sales orders
   • Manual for special purposes
7. Inventory Valuation
   • Cost calculation
   • Accounting entry generation
8. Inventory Analysis
   • Stock level reporting
   • Movement analysis
   • Aging analysis

Configuration Options:

• Removal strategies (FIFO, LIFO, etc.)
• Putaway rules
• Valuation methods
• Ownership tracking
• Lot tracking parameters

2. Advanced Warehouse Operations Workflow

Purpose: Optimize picking, packing, and shipping operations in larger warehouses.

Workflow Steps:

1. Incoming Shipment Planning
   • Expected receipt scheduling
   • Dock assignment
   • Resource allocation
2. Receiving Process
   • Unloading
   • Package scanning
   • Initial quality check
3. Put-away Strategy Execution
   • Zone determination
   • Location optimization
   • Space utilization
4. Wave Planning
   • Order grouping
   • Resource assignment
   • Priority determination
5. Picking Operations
   • Pick list generation
   • Batch picking
   • Zone picking
6. Packing Process
   • Packaging selection
   • Package building
   • Label generation
7. Quality Control
   • Final verification
   • Documentation check
8. Shipping Execution
   • Carrier selection
   • Rate shopping
   • Shipment creation
9. Shipping Documentation
   • Packing slip generation
   • Customs documentation
   • Certificate preparation

Configuration Options:

• Warehouse structure (zones, aisles, locations)
• Wave planning parameters
• Picking strategies
• Packing station configuration
• Shipping integration preferences

3. Lot/Serial Tracking Workflow

Purpose: Track specific inventory units through the supply chain for quality, warranty, or regulatory purposes.

Workflow Steps:

1. Lot/Serial Definition
   • Number generation
   • Date assignment
   • Attribute recording
2. Receipt with Tracking
   • Lot/serial assignment
   • Attribute verification
3. Quality Control by Lot
   • Sample testing
   • Certification
   • Hold/release management
4. Inventory Management
   • Lot-specific location tracking
   • Expiration date monitoring
   • Quarantine management
5. Picking with Traceability
   • FEFO (First Expired, First Out)
   • Specific lot selection
   • Scanning verification
6. Shipping with Traceability
   • Lot information on shipping documents
   • Customer communication
7. Recall Management
   • Affected lot identification
   • Customer identification
   • Return processing
8. Traceability Reporting
   • Upstream tracking
   • Downstream tracking
   • Regulatory documentation

Configuration Options:

• Number generation rules
• Mandatory tracking points
• Expiration calculation methods
• Quality parameters by product
• Removal strategy specifics

Financial Workflows

1. Accounts Receivable Workflow

Purpose: Manage customer invoicing and payment collection processes.

Workflow Steps:

1. Invoice Creation
   • From sales order
   • From delivery
   • Recurring invoice
   • Manual entry
2. Invoice Validation
   • Correctness verification
   • Tax calculation
   • Accounting entry generation
3. Invoice Distribution
   • Email delivery
   • Print and mail
   • Customer portal
4. Payment Collection
   • Online payment
   • Wire transfer
   • Check receipt
   • Cash payment
5. Payment Application
   • Invoice matching
   • Partial payment handling
   • Overpayment management
6. Automated Dunning
   • Reminder scheduling
   • Template selection
   • Escalation management
7. Credit Management
   • Limit monitoring
   • Hold management
   • Release approval
8. Month-End Closing
   • Aging analysis
   • Bad debt recognition
   • Provision calculation

Configuration Options:

• Payment terms
• Automatic reminder settings
• Credit limit rules
• Revenue recognition methods
• Electronic invoicing formats

2. Accounts Payable Workflow

Purpose: Manage vendor invoicing and payment processes.

Workflow Steps:

1. Vendor Bill Reception
   • Email capture
   • OCR processing
   • Manual entry
   • EDI receipt
2. Bill Verification
   • PO matching
   • Receipt matching
   • Contract verification
3. Exception Handling
   • Discrepancy resolution
   • Approval routing
4. Bill Validation
   • Accounting entry creation
   • Payment scheduling
5. Payment Preparation
   • Due date monitoring
   • Payment batch creation
   • Payment method selection
6. Approval Process
   • Amount-based rules
   • Multi-level approvals
7. Payment Execution
   • Check printing
   • Electronic payment
   • Wire transfer
8. Payment Confirmation
   • Vendor notification
   • Status updating
   • Reconciliation

Configuration Options:

• Approval hierarchies
• Matching tolerance rules
• Payment batch criteria
• Payment method preferences
• Vendor portal settings

3. General Ledger & Financial Reporting Workflow

Purpose: Maintain accurate financial records and generate reports for management and compliance.

Workflow Steps:

1. Journal Entry Creation
   • Automated from operations
   • Recurring entries
   • Manual entries
   • Import from spreadsheet
2. Journal Entry Review
   • Accuracy verification
   • Documentation attachment
3. Journal Entry Posting
   • Updating ledger balances
   • Period assignment
4. Reconciliation Process
   • Bank statement import
   • Automated matching
   • Manual reconciliation
5. Period-End Procedures
   • Accrual entries
   • Deferral management
   • Allocation processing
6. Currency Revaluation
   • Exchange rate updates
   • Unrealized gain/loss calculation
7. Financial Statement Preparation
   • Trial balance generation
   • Financial statement compilation
   • Analytical reporting
8. Period Closing
   • Verification of balances
   • Period locking
   • Reporting package generation

Configuration Options:

• Chart of accounts structure
• Fiscal period definitions
• Currency settings
• Analytic dimensions
• Recurrency rules for entries

4. Asset Management Workflow

Purpose: Track and manage fixed assets throughout their lifecycle.

Workflow Steps:

1. Asset Acquisition
   • From vendor bill
   • Manual creation
   • Import from file
2. Asset Classification
   • Category assignment
   • Depreciation method selection
3. Depreciation Schedule Creation
   • Useful life determination
   • Salvage value definition
   • Schedule calculation
4. Depreciation Run
   • Periodic processing
   • Journal entry creation
   • Book value updating
5. Asset Modification
   • Value adjustment
   • Useful life change
   • Depreciation method change
6. Asset Transfer
   • Department reassignment
   • Location change
   • Responsibility change
7. Asset Disposal
   • Sale recording
   • Write-off processing
   • Partial disposal handling
8. Year-End Processing
   • Depreciation verification
   • Tax reporting
   • Financial statement disclosure

Configuration Options:

• Depreciation methods
• Asset categories
• Prorating conventions
• Multiple book support
• Tax rules

Human Resources Workflows

1. Recruitment Workflow

Purpose: Source, evaluate, and hire new employees efficiently.

Workflow Steps:

1. Job Requisition Creation
   • Position details
   • Approval process
   • Budget verification
2. Job Posting
   • Internal posting
   • External platforms
   • Recruitment agency communication
3. Application Management
   • Resume parsing
   • Application tracking
   • Communication management
4. Screening Process
   • Initial review
   • Assessment tests
   • Phone screening
5. Interview Management
   • Scheduling
   • Interviewer assignment
   • Feedback collection
6. Candidate Evaluation
   • Rating system
   • Comparison tools
   • Decision support
7. Offer Process
   • Offer preparation
   • Approval workflow
   • Candidate communication
8. Onboarding Initiation
   • Document collection
   • Equipment preparation
   • Training scheduling

Configuration Options:

• Recruitment stages
• Evaluation criteria
• Communication templates
• Interview types
• Approval workflows

2. Employee Onboarding Workflow

Purpose: Integrate new employees efficiently into the organization.

Workflow Steps:

1. Onboarding Plan Creation
   • Activity definition
   • Responsible party assignment
   • Timeline establishment
2. Pre-arrival Preparation
   • Document request
   • Workspace setup
   • System access provision
3. First Day Management
   • Welcome process
   • Initial documentation
   • Introduction meetings
4. Training Coordination
   • Training schedule
   • Resource allocation
   • Progress tracking
5. Department Integration
   • Team introduction
   • Project assignment
   • Mentor arrangement
6. Check-in Process
   • Milestone meetings
   • Feedback collection
   • Adjustment implementation
7. Probation Period Management
   • Performance tracking
   • Evaluation scheduling
   • Decision process
8. Onboarding Completion
   • Final review
   • Documentation finalization
   • Long-term development planning

Configuration Options:

• Onboarding templates by position
• Activity categories
• Responsibility assignments
• Document checklists
• Feedback mechanisms

3. Time Off Management Workflow

Purpose: Handle employee leave requests, approvals, and balances.

Workflow Steps:

1. Leave Type Definition
   • Category creation
   • Accrual rules
   • Validity parameters
2. Leave Request Submission
   • Type selection
   • Date specification
   • Comment addition
3. Approval Process
   • Manager notification
   • Leave balance verification
   • Conflict checking
4. Request Resolution
   • Approval/rejection
   • Employee notification
   • Calendar update
5. Balance Management
   • Automatic accrual
   • Manual adjustment
   • Expiration processing
6. Reporting to Payroll
   • Attendance summary
   • Leave categorization
   • Payroll impact calculation
7. Year-End Processing
   • Carryover calculation
   • Balance adjustment
   • New year initialization

Configuration Options:

• Leave types
• Accrual methods
• Approval hierarchy
• Public holidays
• Calendar integration

4. Expense Management Workflow

Purpose: Process employee expenses from submission to reimbursement.

Workflow Steps:

1. Expense Report Creation
   • Manual entry
   • Email receipt processing
   • Mobile app submission
2. Expense Classification
   • Category assignment
   • Tax handling
   • Analytic allocation
3. Policy Compliance Check
   • Amount limits
   • Category restrictions
   • Receipt requirements
4. Approval Routing
   • Manager review
   • Additional approvals based on amount
   • Finance verification
5. Accounting Integration
   • Account assignment
   • Journal entry creation
6. Reimbursement Processing
   • Payment method selection
   • Batch processing
   • Payment execution
7. Employee Notification
   • Approval status updates
   • Payment confirmation
   • Issue resolution
8. Expense Analysis
   • Spending by category
   • Employee expense patterns
   • Budget comparison

Configuration Options:

• Expense categories
• Approval workflows
• Per diem rules
• Mileage rates
• Receipt requirements

Project Management Workflows

1. Project Planning Workflow

Purpose: Define, structure, and schedule project activities.

Workflow Steps:

1. Project Creation
   • Basic information entry
   • Team assignment
   • Customer linkage
2. Task Breakdown
   • Work breakdown structure
   • Task creation
   • Dependency definition
3. Resource Assignment
   • Team member allocation
   • Skill matching
   • Availability checking
4. Timeline Development
   • Duration estimation
   • Start/end date setting
   • Milestone definition
5. Budget Creation
   • Cost estimation
   • Revenue forecasting
   • Margin calculation
6. Risk Assessment
   • Risk identification
   • Probability/impact evaluation
   • Mitigation planning
7. Project Validation
   • Stakeholder review
   • Final adjustments
   • Baseline setting
8. Project Launch
   • Kickoff organization
   • Communication initiation
   • Initial status reporting

Configuration Options:

• Project templates
• Task types
• Stage definitions
• Resource roles
• Billing methods

2. Project Execution Workflow

Purpose: Implement and track project tasks with time, resource, and progress management.

Workflow Steps:

1. Task Assignment
   • Responsible person designation
   • Priority setting
   • Deadline communication
2. Time Tracking
   • Work hour recording
   • Progress reporting
   • Remaining effort updating
3. Subtask Management
   • Breaking down complex tasks
   • Delegation
   • Status tracking
4. Collaboration
   • Discussion threads
   • File sharing
   • Note taking
5. Issue Management
   • Problem documentation
   • Resolution assignment
   • Status tracking
6. Progress Monitoring
   • Completion percentage tracking
   • Timeline comparison
   • Burndown analysis
7. Status Reporting
   • Project dashboard updating
   • Stakeholder communication
   • Variance explanation
8. Change Management
   • Change request documentation
   • Impact assessment
   • Approval process

Configuration Options:

• Task stages
• Timesheet categories
• Progress calculation methods
• Status report templates
• Issue categories

3. Project Billing Workflow

Purpose: Manage project financials, from cost tracking to customer billing.

Workflow Steps:

1. Cost Recording
   • Timesheet validation
   • Expense allocation
   • Material consumption
2. Revenue Recognition
   • Milestone completion
   • Time and material calculation
   • Fixed price proration
3. Invoice Planning
   • Schedule creation
   • Amount determination
   • Approval process
4. Invoice Generation
   • From project milestones
   • From validated timesheets
   • From expense reports
5. Customer Review Process
   • Draft sharing
   • Feedback collection
   • Adjustment handling
6. Invoice Finalization
   • Approval processing
   • Distribution to customer
   • Status tracking
7. Payment Tracking
   • Receipt monitoring
   • Reminder management
   • Reconciliation
8. Profitability Analysis
   • Planned vs. actual comparison
   • Margin calculation
   • Profitability reporting

Configuration Options:

• Billing methods (T&M, fixed price, cost-plus)
• Revenue recognition rules
• Invoice frequencies
• Approval workflows
• Profitability metrics

Website & eCommerce Workflows

1. Website Content Management Workflow

Purpose: Create, review, publish, and maintain website content.

Workflow Steps:

1. Content Planning
   • Topic identification
   • Structure planning
   • Keyword research
2. Content Creation
   • Page building
   • Text writing
   • Media selection
3. Review Process
   • Grammar/spell checking
   • Brand alignment verification
   • Mobile compatibility testing
4. SEO Optimization
   • Meta tag configuration
   • URL structure optimization
   • Internal linking
5. Publication Scheduling
   • Timing determination
   • Visibility settings
   • Promotion coordination
6. Content Publishing
   • Going live process
   • Social sharing
   • Email notification
7. Performance Monitoring
   • Traffic tracking
   • Engagement analysis
   • Conversion measurement
8. Content Maintenance
   • Regular auditing
   • Updating outdated information
   • Archiving irrelevant content

Configuration Options:

• Publishing workflows
• User permissions
• SEO settings
• A/B testing parameters
• Analytics integration

2. eCommerce Order Fulfillment Workflow

Purpose: Process online orders from placement to delivery.

Workflow Steps:

1. Order Placement
   • Shopping cart checkout
   • Guest or account checkout
   • Payment method selection
2. Order Validation
   • Payment verification
   • Fraud check
   • Inventory verification
3. Order Confirmation
   • Customer notification
   • Internal alert
   • Documentation generation
4. Picking Process
   • Pick list creation
   • Item collection
   • Barcode verification
5. Packing Operation
   • Package selection
   • Material inclusion
   • Label generation
6. Shipping Process
   • Carrier selection
   • Rate calculation
   • Tracking number generation
7. Delivery Tracking
   • Status monitoring
   • Customer updating
   • Exception handling
8. Post-Delivery Activities
   • Delivery confirmation
   • Review request
   • Cross-sell communication

Configuration Options:

• Payment gateways
• Shipping methods
• Packaging options
• Picking strategies
• Communication templates

3. Customer Service Workflow

Purpose: Handle customer inquiries, issues, and returns efficiently.

Workflow Steps:

1. Inquiry Receipt
   • Contact form submission
   • Email reception
   • Live chat initiation
   • Phone call
2. Issue Classification
   • Type categorization
   • Priority assignment
   • Responsible team routing
3. Initial Response
   • Acknowledgment communication
   • Information request
   • Simple resolution (if possible)
4. Issue Investigation
   • Order/customer verification
   • Historical context review
   • Technical assessment
5. Resolution Process
   • Solution development
   • Internal collaboration
   • Action implementation
6. Customer Communication
   • Solution presentation
   • Documentation sharing
   • Next steps explanation
7. Return/Refund Processing
   • Authorization creation
   • Return label generation
   • Refund execution
8. Case Closure
   • Satisfaction verification
   • Documentation finalization
   • Knowledge base updating

Configuration Options:

• Ticket categories
• SLA definitions
• Escalation rules
• Communication templates
• Return policies

Cross-Functional Workflows

1. Document Management Workflow

Purpose: Control the creation, approval, storage, and distribution of important documents.

Workflow Steps:

1. Document Creation
   • Template selection
   • Content development
   • Metadata assignment
2. Internal Review
   • Reviewer assignment
   • Feedback collection
   • Revision tracking
3. Approval Process
   • Sequential or parallel approvals
   • Digital signature
   • Version finalization
4. Document Storage
   • Folder structure organization
   • Access right assignment
   • Version control
5. Document Distribution
   • Sharing with relevant parties
   • Notification management
   • Receipt tracking
6. Document Search
   • Full-text search
   • Metadata filtering
   • Related content discovery
7. Retention Management
   • Expiration tracking
   • Archive automation
   • Deletion processing
8. Audit Trail
   • Access logging
   • Change history
   • Compliance verification

Configuration Options:

• Document types
• Approval workflows
• Retention policies
• Security levels
• Template management

2. Approval Workflow Engine

Purpose: Manage review and authorization processes across different business areas.

Workflow Steps:

1. Approval Request Creation
   • From business document
   • Through dedicated form
   • Via email submission
2. Request Classification
   • Type identification
   • Priority assignment
   • Amount categorization
3. Approver Determination
   • Rule-based routing
   • Hierarchy following
   • Amount-based escalation
4. Notification Management
   • Initial request alert
   • Reminder scheduling
   • Escalation communication
5. Review Process
   • Information display
   • Supporting document access
   • Comment capability
6. Decision Recording
   • Approval/rejection selection
   • Comment addition
   • Date/time stamping
7. Multi-level Processing
   • Sequential approvals
   • Parallel approvals
   • Conditional branching
8. Final Execution
   • Original document updating
   • Stakeholder notification
   • Audit trail creation

Configuration Options:

• Approval types
• Authority levels
• Delegate management
• Timeout rules
• Escalation paths

3. Intercompany Workflow

Purpose: Manage transactions and processes between related companies within the same Odoo database.

Workflow Steps:

1. Intercompany Rule Configuration
   • Transaction types definition
   • Company relationship mapping
   • Automatic action settings
2. Transaction Initiation
   • Sales order creation
   • Purchase order creation
   • Invoice generation
3. Counterpart Generation
   • Automatic creation in target company
   • Reference linking
   • Price/terms application
4. Approval Process
   • Verification by receiving company
   • Adjustment handling
   • Rejection management
5. Transaction Execution
   • Confirmation of related documents
   • Processing in both companies
   • Status synchronization
6. Financial Settlement
   • Intercompany invoice creation
   • Internal reconciliation
   • Currency handling
7. Consolidation Process
   • Elimination of intercompany transactions
   • Group reporting
   • Audit trail maintenance
8. Period Closing
   • Synchronization verification
   • Balance confirmation
   • Intercompany statement generation

Configuration Options:

• Transaction types
• Auto-validation rules
• Pricing policies
• Account mapping
• Tax handling rules

Service Management Workflows

1. Field Service Management Workflow

Purpose: Coordinate onsite service delivery from request to completion.

Workflow Steps:

1. Service Request Creation
   • Customer submission
   • Internal generation
   • IoT device alert
2. Request Qualification
   • Service type determination
   • Priority assignment
   • Skill requirement identification
3. Technician Scheduling
   • Availability checking
   • Skill matching
   • Geographic optimization
4. Preparation Process
   • Parts reservation
   • Tool allocation
   • Documentation gathering
5. Service Execution
   • Travel tracking
   • Arrival confirmation
   • Work logging
6. Parts and Time Management
   • Material consumption recording
   • Labor time tracking
   • Additional part ordering
7. Service Completion
   • Customer sign-off
   • Documentation update
   • Follow-up scheduling
8. Billing Process
   • Service invoice creation
   • Warranty verification
   • Contract deduction

Configuration Options:

• Service territories
• Skill matrix
• Time windows
• Scheduling algorithms
• Service level agreements

2. Helpdesk Workflow

Purpose: Track and resolve customer support tickets efficiently.

Workflow Steps:

1. Ticket Creation
   • Email conversion
   • Web form submission
   • Phone call logging
   • Customer portal entry
2. Ticket Classification
   • Category assignment
   • Priority determination
   • SLA application
3. Agent Assignment
   • Based on expertise
   • Based on workload
   • Based on availability
4. Initial Response
   • Acknowledgment
   • Information gathering
   • Solution suggestion
5. Ticket Investigation
   • Research process
   • Internal collaboration
   • Knowledge base consultation
6. Resolution Implementation
   • Solution documentation
   • Action execution
   • Verification process
7. Customer Confirmation
   • Solution presentation
   • Satisfaction verification
   • Additional assistance offer
8. Ticket Closure
   • Status update
   • Time tracking finalization
   • Knowledge sharing

Configuration Options:

• Ticket types
• SLA policies
• Assignment rules
• Escalation workflows
• Customer communication templates

3. Subscription Service Management Workflow

Purpose: Manage recurring service delivery, renewals, and billing.

Workflow Steps:

1. Service Subscription Creation
   • Package selection
   • Term definition
   • Pricing application
2. Service Activation
   • Initial setup
   • Welcome communication
   • Access provision
3. Service Delivery Schedule
   • Calendar creation
   • Resource allocation
   • Customer notification
4. Periodic Service Execution
   • Task generation
   • Service delivery
   • Completion recording
5. Usage Monitoring
   • Consumption tracking
   • Threshold alerting
   • Upsell opportunity identification
6. Periodic Billing
   • Invoice generation
   • Payment processing
   • Revenue recognition
7. Renewal Management
   • Advance notification
   • Term negotiation
   • Contract update
8. Service Adjustment
   • Upgrade/downgrade processing
   • Configuration changes
   • Price recalculation

Configuration Options:

• Service packages
• Billing frequencies
• Prorating rules
• Renewal policies
• Contract templates

Marketing Workflows

1. Marketing Campaign Workflow

Purpose: Create, execute, and analyze multi-channel marketing campaigns.

Workflow Steps:

1. Campaign Planning
   • Objective definition
   • Target audience selection
   • Channel strategy development
2. Campaign Content Creation
   • Message crafting
   • Asset development
   • Landing page setup
3. Campaign Setup
   • Workflow configuration
   • Trigger definition
   • Timeline establishment
4. Audience Segmentation
   • List creation
   • Dynamic criteria setting
   • Exclusion definition
5. Campaign Activation
   • Approval process
   • Schedule confirmation
   • Initial dispatch
6. Campaign Monitoring
   • Engagement tracking
   • Performance measurement
   • A/B test evaluation
7. Lead Nurturing
   • Follow-up scheduling
   • Path personalization
   • Score-based progression
8. Campaign Analysis
   • Results compilation
   • KPI comparison
   • ROI calculation

Configuration Options:

• Campaign types
• Channel integration
• Scoring models
• A/B testing parameters
• Analytics dashboards

2. Lead Generation and Qualification Workflow

Purpose: Attract, capture, and evaluate potential customers before sales engagement.

Workflow Steps:

1. Lead Source Setup
   • Website form creation
   • Event registration configuration
   • Social media integration
2. Lead Capture
   • Form submission processing
   • Manual entry
   • Import functionality
3. Lead Enrichment
   • Data standardization
   • Additional information collection
   • Company information gathering
4. Automated Qualification
   • Scoring rule application
   • Activity tracking
   • Engagement measurement
5. Lead Nurturing
   • Email sequence enrollment
   • Content delivery
   • Response monitoring
6. Sales Handoff
   • Threshold-based conversion
   • Sales notification
   • Context transfer
7. Feedback Loop
   • Sales acceptance tracking
   • Conversion rate analysis
   • Source evaluation
8. Optimization Process
   • Source performance analysis
   • Qualification rule refinement
   • Nurturing path adjustment

Configuration Options:

• Lead sources
• Qualification criteria
• Scoring models
• Nurturing sequences
• Handoff thresholds

3. Email Marketing Workflow

Purpose: Develop and deliver effective email communications to targeted audiences.

Workflow Steps:

1. Mailing List Management
   • List creation
   • Segmentation
   • Opt-in/opt-out handling
2. Email Design
   • Template selection
   • Content creation
   • Mobile optimization
3. Personalization Setup
   • Dynamic field configuration
   • Conditional content
   • Recipient-specific offers
4. A/B Testing
   • Variant creation
   • Test audience selection
   • Success criteria definition
5. Delivery Scheduling
   • Timing optimization
   • Batch sending
   • Time zone consideration
6. Delivery Execution
   • Sending process
   • Bounce management
   • Throttling control
7. Performance Tracking
   • Open rate monitoring
   • Click tracking
   • Conversion attribution
8. Analysis and Optimization
   • Results evaluation
   • Subscriber behavior analysis
   • List hygiene maintenance

Configuration Options:

• Email templates
• Sending domains
• Unsubscribe management
• Blacklist handling
• Tracking parameters

Configuring and Customizing Workflows

Standard Configuration Options

Most Odoo workflows can be configured without coding through the user interface:

1. Settings Panels
   • Module-specific configuration screens
   • Feature activation/deactivation
   • Basic parameter setting
2. Stage Management
   • Create and modify workflow stages
   • Configure stage properties
   • Establish stage sequences
3. Approval Flows
   • Define approval hierarchies
   • Set monetary thresholds
   • Configure approval groups
4. Automation Rules
   • Automated actions
   • Server actions
   • Email templates
   • Scheduled actions
5. Document Sequences
   • Numbering patterns
   • Sequence restart rules
   • Prefix/suffix configuration

Extending Workflows with Studio (Enterprise Feature)

Odoo Studio provides no-code customization capabilities:

1. Form Customization
   • Field addition/removal
   • View reorganization
   • Conditional visibility
2. Process Extension
   • Custom stages
   • Status fields
   • Progress tracking
3. Automation Creation
   • Automated actions
   • Buttons and actions
   • Email alerts
4. Report Modification
   • Layout customization
   • Content adjustment
   • Calculation addition
5. Dashboard Creation
   • KPI definition
   • Chart configuration
   • Filter setup

Advanced Workflow Customization

For more complex requirements, custom development may be necessary:

1. Custom Module Development
   • Extended data models
   • Complex business logic
   • Integration with external systems
2. API Integration
   • Web service connections
   • Third-party system communication
   • Data synchronization
3. Custom Reports
   • Complex calculations
   • Specialized formats
   • Interactive features
4. Workflow Engine Extensions
   • Complex state machines
   • Conditional processing
   • Multi-entity workflows

Workflow Implementation Best Practices

Planning and Selection

1. Process Assessment
   • Document current processes
   • Identify pain points
   • Define improvement goals
2. Gap Analysis
   • Compare standard workflows to requirements
   • Identify configuration needs
   • Determine customization requirements
3. Phased Approach
   • Implement core workflows first
   • Add complexity incrementally
   • Train users between phases

Configuration and Customization

1. Simplification First
   • Adopt standard processes where possible
   • Minimize unnecessary complexity
   • Challenge "we've always done it this way" thinking
2. Configuration Before Customization
   • Exhaust standard configuration options
   • Use Studio for simple extensions
   • Reserve custom development for essential needs
3. Documentation
   • Document configuration decisions
   • Create process diagrams
   • Maintain customization records

User Adoption

1. Stakeholder Involvement
   • Include process owners in configuration
   • Gather input from end users
   • Conduct review sessions
2. Training Strategy
   • Role-based training materials
   • Hands-on practice sessions
   • Quick reference guides
3. Change Management
   • Clear communication about changes
   • Focus on benefits
   • Address resistance proactively

Ongoing Optimization

1. Performance Monitoring
   • Track key process metrics
   • Collect user feedback
   • Identify bottlenecks
2. Regular Review
   • Quarterly process evaluations
   • New feature assessment
   • Improvement implementation
3. Continuous Improvement
   • Small, frequent adjustments
   • A/B testing of process changes
   • Regular training updates

Conclusion

The default workflows in Odoo Enterprise Edition provide a solid foundation for most business processes out of the box. Understanding these standard workflows helps organizations:

1. Evaluate Fit: Determine how well Odoo's standard processes match business requirements
2. Plan Implementation: Develop a configuration strategy based on standard capabilities
3. Identify Customization Needs: Pinpoint areas requiring extension or modification
4. Train Users: Provide clear process guidance based on standard flows

Most workflows can be adapted to specific needs through configuration rather than customization, allowing organizations to benefit from standard functionality while addressing unique requirements. By starting with a thorough understanding of these default workflows, businesses can implement Odoo more efficiently and maintain easier upgradability over time.

This workflow guide is maintained by OdooPlanet as a community resource. Operating on our "pay as you wish" model, your contributions help us continue developing comprehensive educational resources for the Odoo community.