A sales pipeline is a visual representation of the sales process, divided into stages. It’s designed to help sales representatives and teams manage the often complex processes that drive deals to close. Sales pipelines have been in use for a long time, but managing them well can be an elusive goal. To make them effective, sales leaders must possess a combination of real-world experience, detailed design, and willingness to change and adapt. Mark Sellers, author of The Funnel Principle.