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# How to Name and Order the Phases of a Process
- URL: https://blog.jestor.com/name-and-order-process-phases/
- Published: 2026-09-17T22:38:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-17T22:38:00.000Z
- Author: Bruno Bannach

To **name and order process phases**, use names that describe a state rather than an action. A phase called "Send to finance" tells you what someone should do; a phase called "With finance" tells you where the record is.

## Why phase names cause arguments

Ambiguous names produce inconsistent behaviour.

- Two people disagreeing about when something counts as moved
- Phases named after actions, so it is unclear when they end
- Records sitting in the wrong column because entry criteria are unstated
- Reporting distorted by inconsistent movement

## Naming and ordering rules

| Rule                     | Example                                    |
| ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------ |
| **Name the state**       | "With finance", not "Send to finance"      |
| **State entry criteria** | What must be true for a card to be here    |
| **Order by flow**        | Left to right, following the real sequence |
| **Terminal phases last** | Completed and cancelled at the end         |
| **Keep the set small**   | Only phases that change responsibility     |

## How to configure it in Jestor

1. Define phases in **Jestor** as single-select values, named as states.
2. Order them to follow the real sequence of the work.
3. Place terminal states — completed, cancelled — at the end.
4. Write the entry criteria into a document attached to the process.
5. Enable log metrics, then review dwell times to confirm the phases reflect reality.

## Why choose Jestor for clear process structure?

**Jestor** records dwell time per phase, which is how you find out whether your naming actually produced consistent behaviour — a phase with near-zero time is one people pass through rather than work in.

Because phases are configured visually and changes can be tested in a draft version, renaming and reordering is a normal adjustment rather than a migration.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Should phases be named as actions?

No — name the state the record is in. See [jestor.com](https://jestor.com/?ref=blog.jestor.com).

### Where should entry criteria live?

In a document attached to the process.

### How do I know the naming worked?

Check dwell times for phases people pass straight through.

## Video Tutorial: Step by Step

Check out other practical tutorials on the Jestor YouTube channel.

## Get to know Jestor

With **Jestor**, you can automate workflows, connect teams, and build internal systems your way — all without code and powered by **AI**. Discover Jestor at [jestor.com](https://jestor.com/?ref=blog.jestor.com) and see how to take your company's operations to a new level of efficiency and control.