---
title: "How to use the Optimize module"
url: "https://kb.chargeplanner.ai/en/article/how-to-use-the-optimize-module"
language: "en"
last_updated: "2026-03-31T10:15:45.440Z"
---

# How to use the Optimize module

## For Getting started with the Optimize module

> **Important remarks :** This module is only available for Power users
> 
> -   This module is exclusively available for **Power users.**
> -   When a user starts a batch calculation in the Optimize module, **the data management module will be blocked for all users**. Everyone will receive a notification saying that user X is running an Optimize exercise, with a progress bar that shows how long the Optimize calculation will take (cfr. Calculate the project)
> -   You can use the location planning module when running an optimize project. 
> -   You can run multiple optimize projects at once, all should make progress.
> -   In the optimize module all locations are tested as a N+1 simulation and thus not as a combined simulation. This means that the predicted potential of the locations are calculated as if each location is opened 1 by 1. However, it will be possible to afterwards open a selection of locations together in the Location planning module, and thus have a combined simulation after all. This enables you to see the combined impact on your network of opening all the locations at once.

### **Screen display & functionalities**

![](https://cdn-assets.productfruits.com/6bf5b232-0ba7-411a-89df-90a5b91f2243)

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### **Optimize Project types**

The Optimize module enables you to **test the predicted potential of a full list of locations in a more automated way.** 

You can choose from **two types** of projects to get started:

-   **Hotspot project**: starting from a list of locations or a saved simulation, you can test the opening of new locations or brand take-overs in batch. A brand can be a competitor as well. Within this project, all uploaded locations are added one by one to a given baseline network. This means there are no combination effects of the multiple openings.
-   **Optimal location characteristics project:** starting from a list of locations or a saved simulation, you can test the changes in location characteristics in batch and instantly visualize their impact. 

![](https://cdn-assets.productfruits.com/ea985017-1eac-44d2-b90f-64683298d7cc)

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### **General steps to follow**

Use the following steps to calculate the potential of a list of addresses, please refer to the specific project page for further information and details.

1.  [**Create a project**](https://kb.chargeplanner.ai/en/article/create-a-project)
2.  [**Select a period**](https://kb.chargeplanner.ai/en/article/select-a-period)
3.  [**Choose a dataset**](https://kb.chargeplanner.ai/en/article/choose-a-data-set)
4.  [**Prepare your list of locations in the template**](https://kb.chargeplanner.ai/en/article/fill-the-template)
5.  [**Upload the template**](https://kb.chargeplanner.ai/en/article/upload-the-template)
6.  [**Calculate the project**](https://kb.chargeplanner.ai/en/article/calculate-the-project)
7.  [**Results interpretation guide after calculation**](https://kb.chargeplanner.ai/en/article/results-interpretation-guide-after-caluclation)
8.  [**Analyze and select relevant locations for further analyses**](https://kb.chargeplanner.ai/en/article/reviewing-and-working-with-your-project-results)
9.  [**Export results**](https://kb.chargeplanner.ai/en/article/export-results)
10.  [**How to create a simulation from tested locationst (optional)**](https://kb.chargeplanner.ai/en/article/how-to-create-a-simulation-from-tested-locations)
11.  [**How to update your list of locations after calculation (optional)**](https://kb.chargeplanner.ai/en/article/how-to-add-remove-or-update-locations-in-your-project)

You can find some more information about posssible excel import failures [here](https://kb.chargeplanner.ai/en/article/excel-import-failure-in-optimize-module).

Next to that, if you make changes to the baseline, this can lead to outdated results, more info [here](https://kb.chargeplanner.ai/en/article/baseline-changes-leading-to-outdated-results-in-optimize-module).