Key Takeaways

✓75% of ERP failures are due to organizational & people issues, not software

✓Internal Core: Executive Sponsor + Project Manager + Functional Champion

✓External Partner: Solution Architect + Functional Consultant + Developer

✓Ideal SMB team size: 5-7 people (3 internal + 3 external)

✓Never assign PM role to someone already 100% busy—they'll fail at both jobs

Quick Answer: Software Doesn't Solve Problems, People Do

You can buy the best Odoo Enterprise license and host it on the fastest server, but if your team structure is flawed, your implementation will fail. Gartner estimates that 75% of ERP failures are due to organizational and people issues, not software bugs. Building a "Winning Team" isn't just about hiring a developer; it's about assembling a squad of decision-makers, subject matter experts, and technical wizards who can translate your business needs into Odoo workflows.

Part 1: The "Internal Core" (Your Company's Squad)

You cannot outsource ownership. These roles must exist within your organization to drive the project forward.

The Executive Sponsor

The "Check Writer"

Usually the CEO, CFO, or COO. They don't need to know how to code, but they must be visibly committed to the project.

Role

Resolves high-level conflicts, approves budget changes, and enforces adoption (e.g., "We are stopping Excel on Jan 1st").

Key Trait

Authority. When they speak, the company listens.

The Internal Project Manager

The "Herder"

The bridge between your company and the Odoo Partner. They manage the timeline, risks, and resources.

Role

Organizes meetings, tracks "To-Do" lists, and holds the internal team accountable for data cleaning and testing.

Key Trait

Organized and relentless. Must be able to say "No" to scope creep from colleagues.

The Functional Champion

The "Super User"

Often an Operations Manager or IT Lead who knows the business inside out. They will likely become the system administrator after go-live.

Role

Understands every business process (how you sell, buy, and ship). Primary tester and trainer for other staff.

Key Trait

Curiosity and patience. They love solving puzzles and helping others.

💡 HR Tip: Don't assign the "Project Manager" role to someone who is already 100% busy with their day job. They will fail at both.

Need Interim Project Management Support?

Part 2: The "External Partner" Team (The Experts)

Unless you have a massive in-house IT department, you will hire an Odoo Partner to fill these technical gaps.

🏗️

The Solution Architect

The "Designer"

The most senior role. They look at your business goals and design the architecture of the system.

Role

Decides how to implement features (e.g., "Should we use multi-company or analytic accounts?"). Prevents bad long-term decisions.

Why You Need Them

To stop you from "paving the cow path" (digitizing bad habits).

⚙️

The Functional Consultant

The "Configurator"

The hands-on expert who sets up the system. They speak both "Business" and "Odoo."

Role

Configures settings, sets up access rights, creates reports, and trains your users.

Why You Need Them

They know standard Odoo features that can save you thousands in development costs.

💻

The Technical Developer

The "Coder"

The person who writes the Python code for custom modules and integrations.

Role

Modifies Odoo's core behavior, builds API connectors, and fixes bugs.

Why You Need Them

For specific needs that standard Odoo cannot handle (e.g., a complex commission algorithm).

🤝 Hiring the right partner is harder than hiring an employee.

Meet Our Certified Odoo Team

Part 3: The "Hidden" Roles You Might Forget

These support roles often make the difference between a "good" and a "great" launch.

📊

The Data Owner

Responsible for cleaning customer lists and product masters before migration.

Bad data = Bad ERP

🔍

The QA Tester

Dedicated to trying to "break" the system before you go live.

Finds bugs before users do

🎯

Change Management Lead

Focuses purely on the people side—handling resistance, communication, and morale.

The human element

RACI Matrix for Odoo Implementation

A = Accountable (owns the outcome), R = Responsible (does the work), C = Consulted (provides input), I = Informed (kept in loop)

Task	Executive Sponsor	Project Manager	Functional Champion	Odoo Partner
Define Strategy	A	C	C	I
Configure System	I	C	C	R
Data Cleaning	I	A	R	C
UAT (Testing)	I	A	R	S
Go/No-Go Decision	A	R	C	C

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a full-time Odoo developer on staff?

For most mid-sized companies ($10M - $50M revenue), no. It is usually more cost-effective to pay a partner for development hours as needed. You do need a full-time internal Project Manager or Administrator.

What is the most difficult role to hire for?

The Odoo Functional Consultant. Finding someone who understands accounting/logistics principles AND the Odoo software is rare. This is why most companies rely on Partners for this role.

How big should the core implementation team be?

For a standard SMB project, the ideal core team size is 5-7 people: Internal (Sponsor, PM, Champion = 3) + External (Architect, Lead Consultant, Developer = 3).

Can one person fill multiple roles?

In smaller organizations, the Project Manager and Functional Champion can be the same person—but only if they have dedicated time (at least 50%) for the project. The Executive Sponsor should always be a separate, senior role.

When should I bring in external resources?

Engage your Odoo Partner during the planning phase, not after you've already made decisions. Their Solution Architect can help you avoid costly mistakes in scope and design from the very beginning.

Conclusion: Assemble Your Dream Team

Building a winning Odoo team requires a mix of internal authority and external expertise. Don't try to fill every role with existing employees who are already overworked.

Invest in dedicated resources—whether internal hires or external partners—to give your project the attention it deserves.

Struggling to Find the Right Talent or Partner?

Braincuber Technologies offers both Turnkey Implementation Teams and Staff Augmentation to fill the gaps in your roster.

Let's assess your current team structure together

ERP for D2C

AI Ecommerce

Cloud & DevOps

D2C Operations Platform

Food & Beverage

Beauty & Personal Care

Fashion & Apparel

Home Décor & Furniture

Post Not Found