How to Name and Order the Phases of a Process

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

Define phases in Jestor as single-select values, named as states.
Order them to follow the real sequence of the work.
Place terminal states — completed, cancelled — at the end.
Write the entry criteria into a document attached to the process.
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.

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 and see how to take your company's operations to a new level of efficiency and control.

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