Funnel, pipeline & opportunity stages · Core
Discovery stage
Also called: needs discovery
ELI5
A stage focused on understanding the buyer's problem, context, stakeholders and urgency.
Used in conversation
“The account plan should show how discovery stage affects the next step.”
Pitch context
You will see “Discovery stage” in go-to-market plans, sales forecasts, account reviews and commercial proposals when the discussion reaches funnel, pipeline & opportunity stages.
Why it matters: It helps a reader interpret funnel, pipeline & opportunity stages without confusing the measure, decision, role or evidence being discussed.
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Supporting source families. This entry is an editorial synthesis rather than a quotation from one canonical glossary.
- U.S. Small Business Administration — Write your business planSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- IFRS Foundation — IFRS GlossarySupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16