Opportunity views: Card vs. Table vs. Pipeline

Federal Compass offers three ways to visualize and manage your Opportunities - Card View, Table View, and Pipeline View. While each view presents information differently, they all provide convenient methods for updating your Opportunity details.

This article will guide you through the step-by-step process of updating Opportunities from each view, along with helpful tips and common pitfalls to avoid.

Step-by-Step Guide to Updating Opportunities

1. Updating Opportunities in Card View

Step 1: Navigate to the Opportunity Search page

1. In the left-hand navigation menu, click Opportunities.
2. From the dropdown, select Opportunity Search.

                               

Step 2: Select Card View

1. On the Opportunity Search page, go to the top-right corner and click Actions.
2. Choose Card View from the list. 
   1. This changes only the display layout, you’re still editing the same data.

                                     

Step 3: Locate the Opportunity

1. At the top of the page, use the Search bar to type in an opportunity name, agency, or keywords.
2. Apply filters (e.g., status, date, region) by clicking the filter icons next to the search bar.

Step 4: Make Quick Edits on a Card

1. Assign to a Pipeline Stage:
   1. click the double arrows, then choose your stage from the dropdown.
                 
2. Add to a Lead List: 
   1. click [ICON], then select the list you want.
                                       
   1. Add to your Watch List: 
      1. click the eye icon, to receive email alerts whenever the contracting officer updates this opportunity or has the option to hide content.
                              
         
         

Step 5: Save or Update Your Search Filters

1. If you want to reuse your current keyword/filter setup:
   1. Click Save/Update Search in the top-right area.
      1. For a new search: click Save Search, enter a name when prompted
      2. For an existing saved search: click Update Search to overwrite it with your current filters.
         
         

2. Updating Opportunities in Table View

Step 1: Navigate to the Opportunity Search page

1. In the left-hand navigation menu, click Opportunities.
2. From the dropdown, select Opportunity Search.
                                  
   
   

Step 3: Locate the Opportunity

1. At the top of the page, use the Search bar to type in an opportunity name, agency, or keywords.
2. Apply filters (e.g., status, date, region) by clicking the filter icons next to the search bar. 

Step 4: Customize your columns. 

1. Click the Add/Remove Columns icon above the right side of the table.
                                       
   1. In the Search Columns popup: 
      1. Left pane: available fields you can add.
         1.  To add or remove a column, check or uncheck its name in the left pane.
      2. Right pane: fields currently shown.
         1. To reorder columns, drag the three-line handle next to a field name in the right pane.
2. Click Update Columns to apply your changes.
   

Step 5: Sort data within the Columns.

1. Click the Column title in blue to rearrange the data in the column between ascending and descending order.

Step 6: Save or Update Your Search Filters

1. If you want to reuse your current keyword/filter setup:
   1. Click Save/Update Search in the top-right area.
      1. For a new search: click Save Search, enter a name when prompted
      2. For an existing saved search: click Update Search to overwrite it with your current filters.
         

3. Updating Opportunities in Pipeline View

Step 1: Navigate to the Current Pipeline or Select a Saved Search.

1. In the left-hand navigation menu, click Pipeline.
2. From the dropdown, select My Pipeline.
3. Select Explore Data from the bottom left-hand side.
                          
   
4. To view your Saved Search: 
   1. In the left-hand navigation menu, click Pipeline.
   2. From the dropdown, select Saved Searches & Lead Lists.
   3. From the dropdown Run/Edit Search, select Opportunities.
                                     

Step 2: Select Pipeline View from either Saved Search or from Sales Pipeline. 

1. On the Opportunity Search page, go to the top-right corner and click Actions.
2. Choose Pipeline View from the list. 
   1. This switches you to a spreadsheet-style layout, your data remains unchanged.
                                   

Step 3: Locate the Opportunity. 

1. Use the Search bar or filter icons at the top to narrow your list.
2. If you prefer to browse sequentially, use the grey arrow near the center to scroll through cards.
          

Step 6: Save or Update Your Search Filters

1. If you want to reuse your current keyword/filter setup:
   1. Click Save/Update Search in the top-right area.
      1. For a new search: click Save Search, enter a name when prompted
      2. For an existing saved search: click Update Search to overwrite it with your current filters.

Tips and Best Practices

• Choose the right view for your task:
  • Card View: Ideal for visualizing stage progression and making quick updates to a few key fields.
  • Table View: Best for exporting data or reviewing and editing many data points across multiple Opportunities.
  • Pipeline View: Perfect for understanding your sales funnel, identifying bottlenecks, and managing stage transitions.
• Utilize filters and search:
  • Use the search bar and filter icons in any view to narrow your list quickly and ensure you’re updating the correct records.
• Regularly review and update:
  • Keep your Opportunity data current to ensure accurate forecasts, reports, and smooth team collaboration.
• Understand field dependencies:
  • Be aware that changing one field (for example, Stage) might affect other fields or trigger automated workflows.
• Leverage quick-edit options:
  • Use inline edits in Table View and the double-arrow, list, and eye icons in Card or Pipeline View to make fast, auto-saved updates without opening the full details page.

Common Mistakes or Misunderstandings

1. Forgetting to Save Changes: 
   1. Always look for and click the "Save" or "Update" button after making edits on a detailed opportunity page. 
   2. Inline edits in Table View usually save automatically after pressing enter or clicking away.
2. Confusing View-Specific Updates with Full Edits: 
   1. Comprehensive updates like adding detailed notes or changing multiple custom fields almost always require opening the full opportunity details page.
3. Overlooking Filter Settings: 
   1. If you're not seeing an opportunity you expect, check your applied filters in any view. 
   2. Always ensure your filters are clear or set appropriately for your current task.
      1. You might be inadvertently filtering out the opportunity you're looking for, or viewing a subset of your opportunities. 

Need Additional Help?

If you have any questions, please reach out to the CSM team for further assistance, support@federalcompass.com.