Preparing an Odoo project: six questions to ask before you start

An ERP such as Odoo covers a broad scope: sales, purchasing, inventory, accounting, manufacturing, human resources… This breadth is an asset, but it can also dilute a project that has not been properly scoped. Before choosing modules, it helps to answer a few simple questions.

1. What problem are we trying to solve?

Re-keying, unreliable stock, an accounting close that takes too long, no visibility on margins… Stating the problem concretely makes it possible to set measurable objectives and prioritise the scope.

2. Which processes are involved, and who owns them?

Each process needs a business owner who can describe how it works today, validate the target process and take part in testing. Without an owner, decisions get made by default… or not at all.

3. Standard features or custom development?

The healthiest rule is to start from the standard product and consider development only when a clearly identified need cannot be met otherwise. Every custom development carries a maintenance cost, especially during version upgrades.

4. Which data will be migrated, and what state is it in?

Products, customers, suppliers, opening stock, account balances: data migration is often underestimated. It is better to identify duplicates, inconsistent coding and missing information early.

5. How will we test?

A test database separate from production, scenarios written from real cases and formal sign-off by process owners significantly reduce go-live risks.

6. How will users be trained and supported?

An ERP only delivers value if it is used correctly. Plan role-based training, accessible documentation and a support set-up for the first few weeks.

In short

Before configuring, clarify:

• the problem and measurable objectives;
• the processes and their owners;
• the balance between standard and custom;
• the quality of the data to migrate;
• the testing strategy;
• the training and support plan.