Salesforce Admin Path Assistant

Introduction

Path Assistant is one of the essential tools that optimizes the business sales process and enhances operational efficiency. It can be approached from two perspectives: the business aspect and the user aspect.

From a business perspective, it helps simplify complex data analysis and decision-making, aiding admins in implementing successful sales strategies. When selling a specific product or service, it provides the optimal approach, considering the features of the product and market trends. For example, in a situation where a new product line is being introduced, Path Assistant identifies the potential customer base for that product and assists in optimizing the sales strategy for a successful launch.

From a user perspective, it can be seen as a kind of 'visual user manual' for users unfamiliar with the Salesforce system, indicating the actions required at each stage and informing them of the fields that need to be filled to progress to the next stage.

Personally, due to the advantages on the user side, it is frequently used. By showing what actions are needed at each stage, it becomes a factor that positively impacts the business.

 

How is it without Path Assistant

I selected any Opportunity record. As you can see in the screen below, there are 9 stages as the default setting. If there is no specific validation for the stage, you can update the stage without any conditions. A true admin should set validation for the stage to prevent meaningless updates and ensure that each stage can be updated according to your business process.

First, I added validation in the Opportunity's object manager as follows:

• If the stage is changed and the AccountId field is empty, show the validation.

AND(ISCHANGED(StageName),
ISBLANK(AccountId))

 

It works well.

Currently, there is only one validation, but as the process becomes more complex, the number of validations will increase. Users who are not familiar with the system will just try to update without knowing requirements. If the validation messages are well-detailed, users can understand what field information is required. However, in the case of unfriendly messages, the process can be delayed. In such situations, users may complain, saying, "I can't proceed because there's an error."

However, if you use Path Assistant, these issues can be handled.

 

Set Path Assistant

Setup -> Path Settings -> Enable -> New Path

You can define what fields are required for each stage and how to guide users through the process.

 

Activate Your Path: If you want to activate it right away,

Enable Celebrations: It shows the Confetti effect when you reach the last stage of Opportunity.

Confetti

 

Let's Check Path Assistant

We have confirmed that it is displaying correctly on the screen.

For those who cannot see it, if you click the arrow next to the stage, it will become visible. This allows users to conveniently see what actions need to be taken at each stage and what fields are required.

 

Reference

https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.configure_a_path_assistant_on_engagement_interactions.htm&type=5