Stages represent the key steps in your sales or dealmaking process, from when a record is first added to when it is marked as won or lost. Every record must exist in one Stage at a time.
How Stages Work in PipeAI
Stages serve several important functions:
- Smarter Actions – Use Stages in Qualifying Rules and Action Rules to determine the best next step.
- Progress Tracking – Easily see where each record is in its lifecycle to prioritize and plan your work.
- AI-Driven Insights – PipeAI’s algorithm analyzes Stages to track progress, identify patterns, and optimize decision-making.
Examples of Stages
Different record types typically have different Stages. For example:
Lead Stages
- New
- Working
- Converted (qualified as an opportunity)
Opportunity Stages
- Discovery
- Proposal
- Negotiating
- Closed (Won or Lost)
Setting Up Stages in PipeAI
In your Grader Setup, you'll find a Stages section where you can add Stages for each Pipe Type. If using a CRM, integrations help keep Stages in sync between PipeAI and your CRM.
You can update Stages manually or automate changes based on milestones or completed Actions.
Best Practices for Adding Stages
- List Stages in order of progress – Start with the earliest Stage and follow the typical progression path.
- Use short, intuitive names – Each Stage should clearly indicate what has happened and what needs to happen next.
- Define clear entrance and exit criteria – Ensure your team aligns on when a record moves to or from a Stage.
- Keep it simple – Too many Stages complicate decision-making. Use the fewest necessary to define major progress points.
