# Mission 2: Build Your Pipeline

> Create deals, set values and close dates, and move opportunities through pipeline stages

Source: https://docs.graph8.com/training/ae/pipeline/

## What you'll learn

- How to create a new deal on an account
- How to set deal value and expected close date
- How to move deals through pipeline stages

---

## Step 1: Create a Deal

1. Navigate to **Companies** in the left sidebar and select the company you researched in Mission 1.

2. Click the **Deals** subtab on the company detail page.

3. Click **+ New Deal** to open the deal creation form.

4. Fill in the required fields:
   - **Deal Name** -- a short, descriptive name (e.g., "Acme Corp - Enterprise License")
   - **Deal Value** -- the expected contract amount
   - **Expected Close Date** -- your target close date
   - **Stage** -- select **Discovery** as the starting stage

> **Tip:**
> Use a consistent naming convention for deals across your pipeline. Including the company name and product makes it easy to scan your deal list at a glance.

---

## Step 2: Set Deal Details

1. After creating the deal, click into it to open the deal detail view.

2. Review and update these fields as your deal progresses:
   - **Deal Value** -- adjust as scope changes during negotiation
   - **Expected Close Date** -- update when timelines shift
   - **Owner** -- confirm you are assigned as the deal owner

3. Add any relevant notes by clicking **Add Note** at the bottom of the deal view.

> **Tip:**
> Keep deal values and close dates current. Stale data leads to inaccurate forecasts -- update after every meaningful conversation.

---

## Step 3: Move Deals Through Stages

The default pipeline stages are:

| Stage | When to Use |
|-------|-------------|
| **Discovery** | Initial conversations, qualifying the opportunity |
| **Qualified** | Budget, authority, need, and timeline confirmed |
| **Proposal** | Proposal or pricing sent to the prospect |
| **Negotiation** | Active contract or terms negotiation |
| **Closed Won** | Deal signed and closed |
| **Closed Lost** | Deal lost or disqualified |

1. From the deal detail page, click the **Stage** dropdown.

2. Select the next stage that matches your deal's current status.

3. Confirm the stage change -- the **Stage Entry Date** updates automatically so you can track how long each deal spends in each stage.

> **Tip:**
> You can also move deals via Copilot. Try: **"Move the Acme deal to Proposal stage"** for faster updates between calls.

---

## Mission Complete Checklist

- [ ] Created at least one deal on a target account
- [ ] Set deal value and expected close date
- [ ] Moved the deal through at least one stage change
- [ ] Verified the stage entry date updated automatically

---

**Next mission:** [Mission 3: Leverage AI for Selling](https://docs.graph8.com/training/ae/ai-selling) -- Use Copilot, AI email generation, and meeting transcripts to accelerate your deals.