How to Manage Planning in the Planning Module of Odoo 18 (Enterprise)

Effective workforce planning is essential for ensuring the right people are assigned to the right tasks at the right time. Odoo 18 Enterprise provides a powerful Planning Module that helps organizations manage employee schedules, shifts and workloads efficiently.

In this blog, we’ll explore how to manage planning in the Planning module of Odoo 18 (Enterprise) step by step.

What is the Planning Module in Odoo 18?

The Planning module in Odoo 18 allows businesses to:

    * Plan employee shifts
    * Allocate resources to projects
    * Manage working hours
    * Avoid employee overload
    * Ensure proper staffing levels

It integrates seamlessly with the Employees, Time Off, Timesheets and Payroll modules.

Step 1: Enable the Planning Module

    * Go to Apps
    * Search for Planning
Once installed, the Planning menu will appear in the main dashboard.

Step 2: Create Planning Shifts (Planning Slots)

     * Go to Planning → Planning

    * Select Day / Week / Month view

     * Click on a time slot or Create

Fill in:    
 
  * Resource - Assigns the employee to the shift and helps track availability and workload.
  * Role -  Defines the employee’s responsibility during the shift and enables skill-based planning.
  * Start and End Time - Sets the working hours and helps detect overlaps or scheduling conflicts.
  * Project—Links the shift to a project for accurate planning and cost tracking.
  * Sale order item - Connects planned work to customer orders for billable service tracking.
  * Allocated Time - Specifies planned hours to prevent overload and compare with actual work.
  * Company - Ensures correct planning and reporting in multi-company environments.

* Once saved, the shift will appear in the planning calendar.

Step 3: Manage Availability and Time Off

The Planning module automatically considers:
            * Approved Time Off
            * Employee Working Schedules
If an employee is on leave, Odoo highlights conflicts, helping planners avoid scheduling mistakes.

Step 4: Use Planning Templates

For recurring schedules:

    * Go to Planning → Configuration → Shift Templates

   * Create a template with predefined roles and timings

   * Apply the template to specific days or weeks
   * This saves time and ensures consistency.

Step 5: Analyze Workload and Conflicts

Odoo visually highlights:
    * Overlapping shifts
    * Overworked employees
    * Missing assignments
This allows managers to balance workloads efficiently.

Step 6: Integrate with Timesheets and Payroll

    * Planned hours can flow into Timesheets
    * Actual worked hours can be compared with planned hours
  * Payroll calculations become more accurate
  * This integration improves operational transparency.

Key Benefits of Using Planning Module in Odoo 18

    * Centralized workforce planning
    * Reduced scheduling conflicts
    * Better employee utilization
    * Time-saving planning templates
    * Seamless integration with HR modules

Conclusion

The Planning module in Odoo 18 Enterprise is a powerful tool for managing employee schedules and resources effectively. By configuring roles, planning shifts and leveraging integrations, businesses can optimize workforce productivity and reduce operational inefficiencies.

If your organization relies on structured scheduling, the Planning module is a must-have solution in Odoo 18.