Routings and Operations in Odoo Manufacturing#
A routing defines the sequence of work centers a product passes through during manufacturing. Each step is an "operation" with planned setup and cycle times. Routings drive automatic work order creation and production scheduling.
Prerequisites#
Manufacturing → Configuration → Settings → enable Work Orders and Routings.
Defining Operations#
Manufacturing → Configuration → Operations → New:
- Name: CNC Machining
- Work Center: CNC Bay
- Default Duration: 45 minutes
- Duration Computation: Based on Tracked Time (or Estimated Duration)
Create one operation per type of work that happens at a distinct work center:
- Material Preparation (15 min)
- CNC Machining (45 min)
- Heat Treatment (2 hours)
- Quality Inspection (20 min)
- Packaging (10 min)
Linking Operations to a BOM#
Manufacturing → Bills of Materials → [BOM] → Operations tab → Add a Line:
| # | Operation | Work Center | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Material Prep | Prep Station | 15 min | Gather all components |
| 2 | CNC Machining | CNC Bay | 45 min | Program: WG-2024-01 |
| 3 | Heat Treatment | Oven 1 | 120 min | Temperature: 180°C |
| 4 | QC Inspection | QC Station | 20 min | Dimensional check |
| 5 | Packaging | Pack Station | 10 min | Bubble wrap + box |
Total planned time: 3 hours 30 minutes per unit.
Parallel vs. Sequential Operations#
By default, operations are sequential (1 → 2 → 3 → ...).
For parallel operations (e.g., QC happens simultaneously with next batch prep):
- Set the next operation's Previous Operations: leave blank (runs immediately)
- Or configure blocking: next operation waits for the previous to complete
Work Order Generation#
When a Manufacturing Order is confirmed, Odoo creates a work order for each routing operation:
- Work Order 1: Material Prep → assigned to Prep Station
- Work Order 2: CNC Machining → assigned to CNC Bay
- (each work order becomes a task on the shop floor)
Scheduling with Routings#
The production scheduler uses routing operation times to:
- Schedule each work order in the correct sequence
- Avoid double-booking work centers
- Calculate the earliest completion date for the MO
In the work center Gantt view, each operation block is proportional to its planned duration.
Updating Operation Times#
After tracking actual times for several months:
Operation → Duration: update to reflect actual average time
More accurate durations = more accurate scheduling = more reliable delivery date promises.