How to Plan and Forecast with Odoo 18

Imagine running a factory without a plan – it’s like sailing in fog. Planning and forecasting demand is your navigation system, and Odoo 18 provides the tools to light the path. Think of it as a smart dashboard telling you how much to make or buy.

Step 1: Enable the Master Production Schedule

First things first: switch on the Master Production Schedule (MPS). In Odoo 18’s Manufacturing settings, check “Master Production Schedule” under Planning and click Save. You’ll then see “Time Range” (Monthly, Weekly, Daily) and “Number of Columns” fields. These set your planning window — for example, 12 monthly columns for a year ahead.

• Time Range: Choose how granular you want your planning periods (e.g., monthly or weekly).
• Number of Columns: Decide how many periods to plan (e.g., 12 months or 8 weeks).

With MPS enabled, you get a blank planning sheet. The MPS is a manual tool — it does not automatically create orders. It only suggests quantities to make or buy based on your forecast. Also, avoid using automatic reorder rules on the same product, or you’ll get conflicts in planning.

Step 2: Configure Your Planning Horizon

Set up the timeline for your plan. Use the Time Range and Number of Columns to define how far and how granular your forecast will be. For example, “Monthly” plus 12 columns gives you a one-year plan; “Weekly” plus 8 columns gives you two months by week.

Think of each column as a time block. You might enter “make 100 units” in week 1 and “order raw materials” in week 2. Odoo will then calculate the “Suggested Replenishment” for each product — how much to make or buy to meet your forecast. You can accept its suggestion or edit the numbers based on your situation.

Step 3: Add Products and Enter Forecasts

Go to Manufacturing > Planning > Master Production Schedule and add a product. Each product shows rows for “Forecasted Demand” and “Suggested Replenishment.” Enter your demand forecast in the Forecasted Demand row for each period. Odoo will fill in Suggested Replenishment so that your ending inventory matches that demand.

Optionally, you can enable “Actual Demand” in the settings. This adds confirmed sales order demand alongside your forecasts. It’s a great way to compare planned vs. real demand and improve forecast accuracy over time.

Step 4: Generate Orders from the Forecast

Now it’s time to put your plan into action. Click the “Replenish” button next to a product’s Suggested Replenishment row. Odoo will open a popup to create a manufacturing or purchase order. Select the route (make or buy), adjust the quantity if needed, and confirm. The suggested replenishment becomes an actual order.

With one click, your paper plan turns into real production or purchase orders. If the Replenish button is disabled, make sure your product routes and Bill of Materials are properly configured.

Step 5: Check Inventory Forecast Reports

Odoo also includes stock forecasts. On any storable product, click the Forecasted button. The Inventory Forecast report shows your current stock, incoming orders, outgoing commitments, and a projected stock graph. Watch the forecast curve – if it dips below zero, you need to act fast.

There’s also a Manufacturing Forecast view that focuses on raw materials. This highlights component usage in upcoming manufacturing orders. It’s a great way to spot material shortages before they disrupt your production schedule.

Step 6: Fine-Tune Your Forecasts (Best Practices)

• Use Real Data: Base forecasts on historical sales or confirmed orders. Avoid guessing.
• Review Often: Update your MPS regularly (weekly or monthly) as new data comes in.
• Track Forecast vs. Actual: Enable Actual Demand to compare your forecasts with real demand and improve over time.
• Avoid Double-Planning: Don’t use MPS and automatic reorder rules together for the same product — it may cause conflicts.

Stick to these practices and Odoo’s planning tools will become your reliable co-pilot — keeping your production lean, efficient, and always one step ahead of demand.

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Conclusion

Odoo 18 equips manufacturers with a clear roadmap. Using the Master Production Schedule turns guesswork into a formal production plan, while forecast reports give you live visibility into stock levels and demand. Think of these tools as smart assistants — they help guide your decisions, but you’re always in control. With good data and a proactive approach, you’ll keep your shop running smoothly, avoiding overproduction or last-minute shortages.

FAQs

1. How do I enable forecasting in Odoo Manufacturing?
Go to Manufacturing > Configuration > Settings and check the “Master Production Schedule” option under Planning. Click Save.

2. What’s the difference between Odoo’s MPS and reordering rules?
MPS is a manual planning tool where you input forecasted demand. Reordering rules are automatic triggers that create orders based on stock levels. Avoid using both on the same product to prevent conflicts.

3. Can Odoo automatically generate manufacturing orders from forecasts?
Odoo calculates suggested replenishment based on your forecasts, but you need to manually click the “Replenish” button to create orders. This lets you review and adjust before confirming.

4. How does the inventory forecast report help with planning?
The forecast report visualizes your stock levels over time, showing what’s on hand, incoming, and outgoing. It helps you detect potential shortages in advance and take timely action.

5. Should I enable Actual Demand in the MPS?
Yes. Enabling Actual Demand adds confirmed sales orders next to your forecasted numbers. This comparison helps improve your forecasting accuracy over time.