Estimates Use the "Estimates" tab to create profit margin estimates for deals that are in the pipeline. You can adjust your costs and income based on the profit margins you would like to see. Each estimate can be divided into phases, each with its own staffing needs and expenses. It is not necessary to divide the estimate into phases if the deal is small or uncomplicated. Estimates > Create a New Estimate 1. Click on the "Estimates" tab (or select "Estimates" from the links that appear at the top of the form when you are viewing a particular client, prospect, or deal record). 2. Click on the "Create..." drop-down menu (upper right corner), and select "estimate." 3. Enter a name for the estimate in the "New estimate" dialog box. 4. If you have enabled multi-currency functionality, select the currency in which you want the estimate to be created. 5. Select the client and deal to which this estimate is associated. Note: This is a required field. Therefore, a deal must exist before an estimate can be created. Note: If you are creating the estimate from within a deal record, you will not see the "Client:Deal" drop-down list box. The new estimate will be associated automatically with the client or prospect and deal record you are currently using. If you are within a client or prospect record, the estimate will be associated automatically with that particular client or prospect. You will see a "Deal" drop-down list box, however, containing the deals that are associated with the client or prospect. Select one from the list. 6. If you want to divide the estimate into phases, go to the "Defined phases" section and enter names for each of the phases in the text boxes provided. If you need more rows, select one of the options from the "[Add]" drop-down list box. 7. Enter any notes, if desired. 8. Click on "Save" or "Save & Next >>" (this button will take you directly to the "Staffing" page). Note: If you did not enter any phases for the estimate, you will see a "Default" phase in the list of defined phases once you save the estimate. Once you have created an estimate, you can specify staffing requirements, add up the cost of expense items, make any adjustments to the estimated profit, and view the results in a report. Related links: Staffing | Expense Items Adjustments | Analysis How would I modify or delete an existing estimate?