title: "Pipelines Overview" order: 15
Track deal progress, assign owners, and forecast with confidence.
Step 1: Define stages
- Instruction: Create pipeline stages that match your sales process (New Lead, Contacted, Qualified, Proposal, Won).
- Expected: Stages are clear and ordered to represent progression.
- Why it matters: Stage clarity improves forecasting and team alignment.
- Troubleshooting: Consolidate similar stages if reporting becomes noisy.
Step 2: Assign owners and SLAs
- Instruction: Assign default owners and set SLAs or reminders for follow-up.
- Expected: Leads are routed and owners receive timely reminders.
- Why it matters: Ownership drives accountability and faster follow-up.
- Troubleshooting: If assignments fail, verify user availability and role permissions.
Step 3: Use stage-based automation
- Instruction: Add automations to notify owners or move stuck deals into nurture flows.
- Expected: Fewer stalled deals and more consistent follow-up.
What success looks like
- Predictable pipeline flow and accurate stage-based reporting.