> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.prezence.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Managing Pipeline Stages

> How to customize your sales pipeline for maximum efficiency.

Your sales pipeline is the backbone of your lead management process in Prezence AI. It provides a visual representation of where each lead stands in their journey with you. While Prezence AI comes with a set of default stages, you can—and should—customize them to perfectly match your sales workflow.

## Understanding the Pipeline

The pipeline on your [Leads Dashboard](/user-guides/lead-management/leads-dashboard) is a Kanban-style board where each column is a stage. Leads move from left to right as they progress from a new prospect to a happy customer.

## Moving Leads Between Stages

Moving a lead is as simple as clicking and dragging.

1. **Click and hold** the lead card you want to move.
2. **Drag it** to the desired stage column.
3. **Release** the mouse button to drop it in place.

This action instantly updates the lead's status, keeping your pipeline organized and up-to-date.

## Customizing Your Pipeline Stages

To tailor the pipeline to your needs, you can add, edit, reorder, or delete stages.

1. **Navigate to Settings**: Go to **Settings** > **Pipeline Stages Manager**.
2. Here you'll see a list of your current pipeline stages.

### Adding a New Stage

* Click the **"Add New Stage"** button.
* Give your new stage a name (e.g., "Follow-Up Sent", "Demo Booked").
* Click **"Save"**.

### Editing a Stage

* Click the **edit icon** next to the stage you want to change.
* Rename the stage and click **"Save"**.

### Reordering Stages

* **Click and drag** the handle next to a stage's name.
* Move it up or down in the list to change its position in the pipeline.
* The order is saved automatically.

### Deleting a Stage

* Click the **delete icon** next to the stage you want to remove.
* <Warning>Be careful! If you delete a stage that contains leads, you will be prompted to move those leads to another stage before the deletion can be completed.</Warning>

<Card title="Best Practice: Keep it Simple">
  A good pipeline is a simple pipeline. Aim for 5-7 core stages that clearly define a significant step in your sales process. Too many stages can make your pipeline difficult to manage.
</Card>

Once your pipeline is customized, the next step is to understand how to prioritize your leads with [Lead Scoring](/user-guides/lead-management/lead-scoring).

## Video Tutorial: Setting Up Pipeline Stages and Labels

<iframe className="w-full aspect-video rounded-xl" src="https://www.loom.com/embed/eb57ee85b1b9418a98fd8dbb1c132da5" title="Setting Up Pipeline Stages and Labels Video Tutorial" frameBorder="0" allowFullScreen />

### Key Points from the Video

1. **Pipeline Stages vs. Labels**:
   * Pipeline stages track where leads are in your sales process (e.g., new lead, meeting booked, closed, lost)
   * Labels help segment your leads in unlimited ways (e.g., by position, company type, product interest)

2. **Customizing Pipeline Stages**:
   * Navigate to Settings > Pipeline Stages
   * Create custom stages that match your specific sales workflow
   * Use these to track progression through your sales funnel

3. **Creating and Using Labels**:
   * Create as many labels as needed for your segmentation strategy
   * Customize label colors for better visual organization
   * Use labels alongside pipeline stages for granular lead management

4. **Future Features**:
   * Custom views combining pipeline stages and labels
   * More detailed filtering and segmentation options