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All about Opportunity Status & Stage

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Overview

This article gives and overview of the Opportunity Status and Opportunity Stage in Meritto. While Opportunity Status gives a broader classification of an applicant’s journey, Stages represent the specific milestones within that journey. Understanding both helps in streamlining your sales process, tracking progress, and reporting more effectively.

What is Opportunity Status?

Opportunity Status is an umbrella term used to describe the journey of the applicants. It indicates the overall outcome or current condition of an opportunity, essentially showing, whether the deal is:
  1. Ongoing
  2. Closed-Lost 
  3. Qualified
  4. Closed-Won “Or” Enrolled
It serves as a broad classification that works alongside the more detailed Opportunity Stage.
 
For Instance:
  1. Open - This will consist of all the opportunity stages that denote that the lead has been contacted, it can be something like: 
    1. Interested
    2. Asked to call back
    3. Follow-up added
    4. In Conversation

  2. Closed-Lost - This will consist of all the opportunity stages that denote that the lead has not been contacted or is cold, it can be something like: 
    1. Not Interested
    2. Duplicate Enquiry
    3. Closure timeline is Unknown
    4. Invalid number

  3. Qualified - This will consist of all the opportunity stages that denote that the lead is qualified to move to a step near to Enrolled, it can be something like: 
    1. Meets Criteria
    2. Proposal Sent
    3. Negotiation
    4. Token Fee Paid

  4. Closed-Won “OR” Enrolled -  This will consist of all the opportunity stages that denotes that the lead is enrolled, it can be something like: 
    1. Partial Fee Paid
    2. Full Fee Paid
    3. Joined College
Opportunity status is utilised to quickly filter out the data as per the current stage in the nurturing/sales process.

What is an Opportunity Stage?

Opportunity Stage is the disposition that the counselors mark against the opportunity during the process of the nurturing/sales. It is a process that indicates how close a potential opportunity(deal) is to being finalized.

Best Practices for Setting Opportunity Stages

  1. Keep it simple: 5–8 stages is usually ideal. Too many stages = complexity.
  2. Make it trackable: Each stage should trigger an action or outcome (e.g., sending a proposal, scheduling a demo).
  3. Use consistent criteria: Clearly define the opportunity status for each stage to maintain clarity.
  4. Align with your process: Customize the stages to fit your actual sales workflow, not a generic one.

Relation between the Opportunity Status and Opportunity Stage

The opportunity Stage is a sub-set of Opportunity Status. 
  1. The Opportunity Stage represents the specific phase an opportunity is currently in within the nurturing/sales/sales process (e.g., Qualification, Proposal Sent, Negotiation). 
  2. The Opportunity Status indicates the broader state or final outcome of the opportunity (e.g., Open, Closed Won, Closed Lost).
In short, Stages show where you are, Status shows what it means.
  1. Opportunity Stage = Progress
  2. Opportunity Status = Result

Conclusion

Opportunity Status and Stage work hand-in-hand to provide a clear view of your sales pipeline. While Stages track progress, Status defines the result. Structuring them well ensures clarity in lead movement, better team alignment, and data-driven decision-making.

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