Automate decisions, not clicks
Moving a manual process into Odoo should remove handoffs, duplicate entry, missing evidence, and uncontrolled approvals—not simply replace paper fields with a form. The design begins with trigger, owner, required data, decision rules, states, exceptions, and final evidence.
Document the current process and exception paths
- Observe the real current process, including spreadsheet/email shortcuts.
- Remove steps that exist only because information was unavailable in the old process.
- Use explicit states and server-side transition rules.
- Notify users about work that needs action; do not email every state change.
- Measure cycle time, queue age, rework, and exception reasons after automation.
Manual-to-digital workflow
The digital workflow captures data once, routes by policy, records the decision, then creates the downstream ERP action without re-entry.
From request to controlled approval and fulfillment
The digital workflow captures data once, routes by policy, records the decision, then creates the downstream ERP action without re-entry.
1
Request formStart
2
ValidationStep
3
Policy routingStep
4
Approver queueStep
5
DecisionStep
6
Purchase / task creationStep
7
Audit + metricsOutcome
Replacing spreadsheet purchase requests
Automation that merely hides manual work
Workflow automation checklist
- Map trigger, actors, states, decisions, and exceptions.
- Remove redundant data entry and handoffs.
- Make transition rules and permissions explicit.
- Automate downstream creation only after authoritative approval.
- Measure cycle time and exception volume after rollout.