If you’re running sales at an enterprise level, your pipeline isn’t just a list of deals—it’s the backbone of your process. The problem is, most CRM tools feel like they were built for someone else’s process, not yours. If you’re using Tryleap, you already know it’s flexible, but “flexible” can mean “overwhelming” when you actually sit down to build a custom pipeline.
This guide is for sales ops leads, admins, and hands-on sales managers who want to cut through the noise and create a pipeline in Tryleap that actually fits how your team sells. No fluff, no jargon—just what you need, what you don’t, and how to get it done.
1. Get Aligned on What Actually Happens in Your Sales Process
Before you even touch Tryleap’s pipeline builder, get clear on what your real sales process looks like. Not what the playbook says, but what reps actually do.
What works: - Shadow a few reps—see where deals stall, what gets skipped, and what’s working. - Map out stages as they are, not as you wish they were. - Bring in a few frontline reps early. If you build this in a vacuum, you’ll end up with a pipeline nobody uses.
What doesn’t: - Overcomplicating it. More than 7-8 stages? You’re probably splitting hairs. - Relying solely on “best practices” from other companies. Your process is unique.
Pro tip:
Write out each stage on sticky notes before you build anything. Move them around until the flow feels natural.
2. Set Up Your Custom Pipeline in Tryleap
Once you’ve mapped your process, translating it into Tryleap is pretty straightforward—if you avoid a few common traps.
Create Stages That Match Reality
- Use clear, unambiguous names (e.g., “Procurement Review” instead of “Review”)
- Each stage should reflect a real, observable change—something actually happens between stages.
- Don’t create a stage for every possible outcome (e.g., “Lost - Pricing,” “Lost - Timing”). Use fields or tags for that.
Avoid the Default Trap
Tryleap comes with some default stages. Don’t be afraid to delete or rename them. Defaults are generic for a reason.
What to ignore:
The urge to keep stages just because “that’s how it’s always been.” If nobody can explain what happens in a stage, cut it.
3. Build Fields That Capture What You Actually Need
The temptation with custom fields is to capture everything “just in case.” Don’t do it.
Do: - Limit required fields to what’s absolutely essential for moving a deal forward. - Use dropdowns or picklists for fields you’ll want to filter or report on. - Make sure fields are in the right order—put the most important stuff at the top.
Don’t: - Make every field required. Reps will find a way to work around it, or just stop using the tool. - Add fields you “might need someday.” You can always add them later.
Pro tip:
If a field’s only useful for one report that nobody reads, it’s probably not worth it.
4. Automate the Boring Stuff, But Don’t Overdo It
Tryleap has some solid automation features—things like auto-assigning deals, sending reminders, and updating fields based on stage changes.
What works: - Automate routine handoffs (e.g., assign to legal when a deal hits “Contract Sent”) - Set up reminders for deals stuck in a stage too long
What doesn’t: - Over-automating. If every little thing triggers an alert or a status change, people stop paying attention. - Automating follow-up emails that sound robotic. If you wouldn’t send it yourself, don’t set it and forget it.
Pro tip:
Set up a “test” pipeline and run a few deals through it before turning automations on in your real pipeline. It’s easier to fix mistakes before everyone’s using it.
5. Integrate With the Rest of Your Stack—But Only What Matters
Enterprises love integrations, but more isn’t always better. Stick to the essentials.
Integrations worth doing: - Your email/calendar, so activities log automatically. - Your billing or ERP system, if you need to track closed/won deals through to revenue.
What to skip (at least for now): - Social media integrations (does anyone really use these for enterprise sales?) - Complex custom APIs unless you have a real, current pain point to solve.
Pro tip:
Start with manual exports/imports if you’re not sure an integration is worth it. Automate only when the manual process becomes a real bottleneck.
6. Pilot With a Small Group, Then Roll Out
Rolling out a new pipeline to 200 reps at once? That’s asking for chaos.
How to pilot: - Pick a few teams or reps who are open to change. - Give them 2-3 weeks to use the new pipeline and collect honest feedback. - Fix what’s broken, clarify what’s confusing, and then roll out wider.
What to ignore:
Feedback like “I don’t like change.” Focus on real issues—missing fields, unclear stages, stuff that actually gets in the way.
7. Train, Document, and Actually Listen
A pipeline’s only as good as the people using it.
- Run quick training sessions—record them for new hires.
- Write up a 1-page cheat sheet for each role (sales, ops, managers).
- Set up a feedback loop. If everyone skips a field, it’s probably not needed.
Pro tip:
Don’t treat training as a one-off. Schedule a check-in after 30 days to catch stuff that only surfaces with real use.
8. Review, Tweak, and Don’t Be Afraid to Change
No pipeline survives first contact with the real world. Expect to revisit it.
- Check in quarterly: Are stages still accurate? Are fields still useful?
- Kill off zombie stages and unused fields quickly.
- Share wins and failures—if a change makes things better, shout about it.
What works:
Iterative tweaks. The best pipelines are always evolving, not set in stone.
Summary: Keep It Simple, Iterate Often
A custom sales pipeline in Tryleap is only as good as it is simple, clear, and actually used by your team. Skip the bells and whistles, get buy-in early, and expect to make changes as you go. The goal isn’t to build the “perfect” process—it’s to create something that helps your team close deals without slowing them down. Start simple, watch closely, and keep improving. That’s how you get a pipeline that actually works.