[londons_explore]

A simple CRM, by just supporting labels, lets you implement pretty easily any scheme like you have described.

Hierarchical labels (like gmail) are IMO the gold standard that every bit of software should implement on every type of object.

[notahacker]

Flexibility of labelling is definitely the way to go with pipeline management. Different organizations have very different ideas about sales processes (and even what constitutes a sale/deal/partnership) and a CRM aiming for simplicity should simply let users define (and reuse) their own.