---
title: "Deal stage"
description: "Deal stage meaning: one step in a sales pipeline, such as Lead, Quoted or Won. Learn how to define stages and exit criteria so the pipeline reflects reality."
url: https://1flux.ai/glossary/deal-stage
last_updated: 2026-10-10
---

[Sales and CRM](https://1flux.ai/glossary#sales-and-crm)

# Deal stage

Deal stage meaning: the steps a sale moves through, and how exit criteria keep them honest.

Glossary Updated 10 October 2026

Definition

A deal stage is one step in a sales pipeline, such as Lead, Quoted or Won, that shows how far an opportunity has progressed.

## Deal stage meaning and exit criteria

Stages work best when each has a definition of done, sometimes called exit criteria: a site visit logged, a quotation sent, a PO received. Without them, salespeople move deals forward on optimism and the [sales pipeline](https://1flux.ai/glossary/sales-pipeline) overstates reality. Each stage also has an outcome: still open, won or lost.

Example: a building-materials trader requires a sent [quotation](https://1flux.ai/glossary/quotation) before any deal can enter Negotiation, and a reason before any deal is marked lost.

Deal stages describe the sale’s progress, not the order’s; fulfilment has its own statuses.

In 1flux

Admins name, colour and order deal stages, set each stage’s outcome (Open, Won or Lost) and add workflow rules such as required fields, approvals and reasons. Every move on the board runs those rules. [See the deal pipeline](https://1flux.ai/products/crm/deal-pipeline)

Related

## Keep exploring

### [Sales pipeline](https://1flux.ai/glossary/sales-pipeline)

All open sales opportunities, grouped by stage.

### [Approval workflow](https://1flux.ai/glossary/approval-workflow)

Rules that route a record to the right people for sign-off.

### [Sales cycle](https://1flux.ai/glossary/sales-cycle)

How long it takes to turn an opportunity into a won sale.

### [Deal pipeline](https://1flux.ai/products/crm/deal-pipeline)

A monthly deal board with stage rules, approvals and lost reasons.

Last updated 10 October 2026