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Where to start (viewing default paths)
The first tool that can be helpful in tracking relationships are paths, as they can serve as a map of where a relationship currently stands. A path is a step-by-step workflow to get people to complete a chain of actions. Paths define reasons for engaging supporters and creating alignment and accountability within an organization.
You can set up paths by editing default paths, or creating your own. Editing a default path is the easier of the two options.
In the People section, click on the path picker. A menu will pop up listing paths installed or created in your nation.
2. Hovering over the path and clicking Edit allows you to edit the path (more on that below).
Edit path settings
To edit path settings, click Edit next to an existing path. You will be taken to the path settings screen. For example, with donations enabled, you can edit the become a donor path.
1. In path Settings you can edit the name of the path.
2. If you want to allow a due date for the path, check the box next to "Enable expected completion date." You can also set a default expected completion date if the workflow should generally take the same amount of time. This date is set relative to when the path is started. The options are:
same day
1 day later
2 days later
3 days later
4 days later
5 days later
6 days later
1 week later
2 weeks later
30 days later
3. If you want to allow control panel users to add a monetary value for path completion, check the box next to "Enable values." You can set a default path value to any positive amount, including up to two decimal places.
4. If one control panel user is responsible for completing this particular path, select the person from the Assign path to dropdown menu. This is particularly useful if the workflow is always handled by the same person. For example, the fundraising coordinator may be responsible for cultivating new donors. This allows you to hold that person accountable for path completion metrics. If multiple people are responsible, leave this option blank. Each time a path is created on a profile, a unique control panel user can be assigned to path completion.
5. Click the Save path button to save changes made to the path settings.
Edit path steps
Click on Steps to edit path steps.
At the top, you can create a new step in the become a donor path.
1. Give the step a name.
2. Set step due date for (optional)- The step due date indicates when the step should be completed. Due date options are the same as for an entire path--anything from the same day to 30 days later.
3. Assign step to (optional)- Assign the step to a control panel user. For example, if the fundraising coordinator decides which supporters should be targeted for new donor campaign, they should be assigned this step. If multiple people are responsible for a particular step, leave this option blank. Each time a path is created on a profile, the default assignment can be changed or removed.
4. Click Create step.
Existing steps are listed at the bottom. Hover over and click Edit next to a step to edit a particular step.
1. You can rename the step.
2. Set step due date for- The step due date indicates when the step should be completed. Due date options are the same as for an entire path--anything from the same day to 30 days later.
3. Assign step to- Assign the step to a control panel user. For example, if the fundraising coordinator decides which supporters should be targeted for new donor campaign, she should be assigned this step. If multiple people are responsible for a particular step, leave this option blank. Each time a path is created on a profile, the default assignment can be changed or removed.
4. Click the Update step button to save changes.
Define reasons for ending a path
A person can complete or abandon a path from any step. Default paths do not include reasons for abandonment or completion. Reasons can clarify why people support or lose interest in the path. Clearly identified reasons provide more ways to aggregate people who leave or complete paths.
For example, if you ask a supporter to donate three times without a response, the become a donor path should be abandoned. This scenario could be listed as "No response after 3 donation asks."
How to add reasons for abandonment:
1. Click on Abandonment to begin defining reasons.
2. Enter the name of the reason.
3. Click the Create reason button.
This is particularly important for separating path experiences. Only one instance of a path can be active on a profile at any time.
For example, say John is a potential donor for the Q1 new donor drive. At the end of Q1, despite being contacted three times with stories of the organization's effectiveness and financial responsibility, he has not donated. John's become a donor path is abandoned with the reason "No response after 3 donation asks." In Q2, a new instance of the become a donor path is added to John's profile and he responds to the first appeal of the new campaign. This path is completed with the reason "Donated after 4 asks." By abandoning the path in Q1, an accurate measurement of the effectiveness of the campaign is created. And by adding a completion reason that accounts for previous communication, the total effort required to cultivate this new donor is captured.
How to add reasons for completion:
1. Click on Completion to begin defining reasons.
2. Enter the name of the reason.
3. Click the Create reason button.
👉🏼 Next Steps
Manually move people along paths or automate path movement.