How to Manage Field Service Projects in Odoo 18
By Braincuber Team
Published on February 3, 2026
Coordinate your on-site teams with precision. Odoo 18 Field Service isn't just about scheduling tasks; it's a complete ecosystem for managing installations, repairs, and maintenance projects from initial request to final invoice.
In this guide, we'll walk through setting up a "Smart Home Security Installation" project. You'll learn how to configure the project settings, design custom worksheets for technicians, and handle time-and-material billing efficiently.
Project Setup
Configure dedicated workspaces for different service types (Installations, Repairs, Maintenance).
Custom Worksheets
Design digital forms for technicians to fill out on mobile devices (Checklists, Signatures).
Time & Material
Track hours logged and parts used, then generate accurate invoices in one click.
Activity Plans
Automate follow-ups like "Send Satisfaction Survey" 24 hours after completion.
Step 1: Configure the Project
Every field service operation begins with a Project. This acts as the container for all your tasks.
Navigate to: Field Service > Configuration > Projects > New
Step 2: Enable Key Settings
The power of Odoo lies in its modularity. Activate only what you need in the Settings tab of your new project.
- Billable: Enable this to invoice customers. It links the project to a Sales Order item.
- Timesheets: Essential for tracking labor hours. Technicians log time via the mobile app, which flows into the invoice.
- Worksheets: This is a must for Field Service. It enables the use of custom forms (Inspection Reports, Safety Checks).
- Products on Tasks: Allows technicians to add spare parts (e.g., "Smart Doorbell Unit") directly to the task, adding them to the final bill.
Step 3: Designing the Worksheet Template
Worksheets replace paper forms. You can create a "Installation Checklist" that technicians must complete before closing the task.
Navigate to: Field Service > Configuration > Worksheet Templates
Step 4: Defining Stages
Stages define your workflow. For an installation project, default stages like "New" and "Done" aren't enough.
1. Scheduling (New Request)
2. Dispatched (Technician en route)
3. In Progress (Worksheet being filled)
4. Quality Check (Manager review)
5. Done (Ready for invoicing)Step 5: Setup Invoicing Rules
In the Invoicing tab of the project, define how you charge.
* Default Service: Select a service product like "Field Technician Work". This product should be set to Invoicing Policy: Based on Timesheets. * Employee Rate: You can set different billing rates for different employees (e.g., Senior Tech: $150/hr, Junior Tech: $90/hr).Use Activity Plans to automate your workflow. Configure a plan so that when a task moves to the "Done" stage, Odoo automatically schedules a "Send Invoice" activity for the accountant and a "Satisfaction Call" activity for the sales rep 2 days later.
Once setup, your technicians can see their assigned tasks in the Odoo Mobile App. They can navigate to the location, click "Start" to track time, fill out the specific Worksheet you designed, add any hardware used, and sign off—all from their phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
While both use the core Project management engine, Field Service projects are pre-configured with industry-specific features like Map Views for routing, Worksheet Templates for data collection, and simplified mobile views for on-site technicians.
Yes, the Odoo Mobile App supports offline mode. Technicians can view tasks, start timers, and fill out worksheets without an internet connection. The data syncs automatically once they are back online.
Enable the 'Products on Tasks' setting in the Project configuration. This adds a 'Products' tab to the task form where technicians can add items (like a new battery or cable). These items are then added to the Sales Order and invoiced alongside the labor hours.
You can make the Worksheet mandatory by setting a stage (e.g., 'Done') to require a validation step. You can also configure the worksheet template to have required fields (like the Signature) that prevent saving if left empty.
Yes, enable 'Recurring Tasks' in the project settings. You can then define a recurrence rule (e.g., 'Every 3 Months') on a task, and Odoo will automatically generate the next visit's task upon completion of the current one.