Managing Linked Pipeline Records

Linking pipeline records to other pipeline records in BoldSales helps ensure that opportunities progress accurately through the sales process with the right context and supporting information. When these records are linked appropriately, teams gain visibility into related activities, avoid duplication, and collaborate more effectively.
Pipeline rules help maintain these associations by ensuring that every linked record remains relevant, aligns with the correct process context, and adds real value to the opportunity’s progression.

Use cases

Ensuring opportunities only progress when the right supporting requirements are in place

Validate that opportunities move forward only when the linked pipeline records meet all required conditions. This may include confirming that the linked records are of the correct type, that the required number of records exist or that those linked records have reached the appropriate stages before the opportunity moves forward.

Keeping related records connected for accurate context

Link pipeline records to allow teams to understand how each supporting process contributes to the opportunity’s progress.
Improving collaboration between teams managing different pipelines
Teams working in different functional pipelines can align their work by linking records, helping everyone understand how their progress impact the opportunity.

Maintaining process accuracy using rule-based associations

Pipeline rules ensure only permitted pipelines can be linked and enforce the correct stage progression requirements.

Review and set up pipeline rules

Before linking pipeline records to another, review and configure the relevant Pipeline Rules. These rules define which pipelines can be associated, the conditions under which they can be linked, and how those associations impact stage progression.

By keeping these rules accurate and up to date, teams can ensure that linked records remain meaningful and that opportunities move through the sales process in a controlled manner without difficulties.

To access and configure pipeline rules, click Setup from the left sidebar menu and navigate to Modules and Fields > Pipelines or Process Management > Pipeline Rules, then select the pipeline and open the Pipeline Rules tab at the top.

Types of Pipeline Rules:

• General Association Rules: Helps control which types of pipeline records can be linked to an opportunity and help prevent irrelevant or incorrect associations.
• Stage Transition Rules: Helps restrict opportunities from skipping stages or moving to previous stages.
• Stage-Based Association Rules: Helps restrict an opportunity from progressing until the linked pipeline records meet the required conditions. These conditions can include
  • Ensuring a specific number of linked records exist, either exactly or within a configured range.
  • Requiring the linked pipeline records to reach a particular stage before the opportunity can advance.

For General Association Rules and Stage-Based Association Rules:

• Review the default Pipeline association rule created during initial pipeline setup or through Process Mapping (for deal pipelines).
• Create, update, or remove the Pipeline association rules as needed to ensure opportunities remain associated only within the defined business context.

For complete guidance on configuring pipeline rules, refer to Creating and managing pipeline rules.

Link and manage pipeline records

Before an opportunity progresses to the next stage in the sales process, linking additional pipeline records is necessary to provide the appropriate context for the next stage.

In some cases, pipeline rules may require a specific number of records to be linked, either exactly or within a configured range. These requirements help maintain process compliance.

To link records, first access the pipeline record where you want to link the other pipeline records. This can be done by opening the pipeline’s listing page and locating the record or by searching for the record directly using the search feature.
To open the pipeline’s listing page:

1. Go to Pipelines (Business Process Pipelines) from the left sidebar (shortcut: G + D) and select the pipeline for example Deals.
   

2. Once the listing page is open, you can search and locate the pipeline record.

3. Open the pipeline record’s details page by clicking its name. Alternatively, you can also click icon or icon.
   Note: The icons appear only when you hover the mouse over the pipeline record.

To access the record using the search feature,

1. Click the Search icon in the left sidebar menu or press / on the keyboard.
2. Select the pipeline from the dropdown.
3. Type the pipeline record’s name and select it.

In the details page of the pipeline record,

1. Go to the tab at the top.
2. In the Linked To section, select the pipeline whose records you want to link, for example Deals.
3. Click the Link {Pipeline} button on the top right, using Deals as an example, click

In the drawer,

1. Select the record(s) you want to link.
2. Click this icon to add relationship labels to describe the context of the association. This is optional.
3. Click Link (X) at the bottom to confirm. X, being the number selected.
4. Alternatively, click + {Pipeline name} in the top-right side of the drawer to create and link a new pipeline record, for example + Deal.

Update linked records

As the sales process evolves, you may need to update linked records, especially when certain conditions must be met in those records for an opportunity to progress. For example, a stage-based association rule may prevent an opportunity from moving forward until a linked pipeline record reaches a specific stage.
To update linked records,

1. Click the more actions menu (…) next to the linked record.
2. Select to open the record.
3. Update its stage as required and verify other information if necessary.

Filter linked records

Filtering helps you quickly locate relevant linked records, especially when many associations exist.
To filter linked records,

1. Click the button on the top-right.
2. The Filter by Relationship Labels drawer appears.
3. Choose all labels, no labels or specific labels.
4. Click Apply.
   

Unlink records

As business needs evolve, some linked records may become irrelevant as an opportunity progresses to advanced stages. In such cases, unlinking these records keeps your opportunities clean, accurate, and connected only to meaningful pipeline activities.
To unlink a record,

1. Click the more actions menu (…) next to the linked record.
2. Select
3. Confirm the action in the dialog.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Why can’t I link records from another pipeline to this opportunity?

The pipeline may be restricted by General Association Rules, which define which pipelines are allowed to link to each other. Review the pipeline rules of the relevant pipeline to verify whether the association is permitted.

Why is the opportunity not moving to the next stage even after linking records?

Stage-based association rules may require a specific number of linked records or require those linked records to reach a certain stage. Ensure that the linked records meet all conditions defined in the rules.

What happens if I unlink a record that is part of a stage-based requirement?

If a required linked record is removed, the opportunity may not meet the minimum conditions for progression. The opportunity will remain in its current stage until another linked record satisfies the required criteria.