Top 6 Sales Qualification Frameworks Explained

Top 6 Sales Qualification Frameworks Explained

Heather Schuck

August 29, 2023

Top 6 Sales Qualification Frameworks Explained Step-by-Step

In the intricate dance of sales, understanding when a prospect is ready to buy – or even worth your time – is essential. Sales qualification frameworks are our guiding light in this journey. Let’s delve into each to understand its origins, steps, and implications.


1. BANT (Budget, Authority, Need, Timeline)

History:
Developed by IBM in the 1960s, BANT is one of the oldest qualification methodologies, focusing on a prospect’s buying power and decision-making capacity.

Framework:

  1. Budget: Understand if the prospect can afford the solution. Example Question: “Have you set aside a budget for this project?”
  2. Authority: Identify if the person you’re speaking with can make purchasing decisions. Example Question: “Are you the primary decision-maker for this purchase?”
  3. Need: Recognize the prospect’s pain points or needs. Example Question: “What challenges are you hoping our solution addresses?”
  4. Timeline: Establish when the prospect intends to make a purchase. Example Question: “When are you looking to implement a solution?”

Pros:

  • Simple and straightforward.
  • Provides a clear understanding of buying intent.

Cons:

  • Might be too rigid for modern sales environments.
  • Doesn’t consider the intricacies of the buying journey.

Ideal Use: Traditional sales environments, especially where deals are straightforward and hinge primarily on budget.


2. CHAMP (Challenges, Authority, Money, Prioritization)

History:
CHAMP is a modern reinterpretation of BANT, shifting the focus from budget to challenges first.

Framework:

  1. Challenges: Understand the issues faced by the prospect. Example Question: “What are your current pain points related to our solution?”
  2. Authority: Ascertain if the contact can make or influence decisions. Example Question: “Who else is involved in the decision-making process?”
  3. Money: Grasp the prospect’s budgetary constraints. Example Question: “What kind of budget is allocated for resolving these challenges?”
  4. Prioritization: Determine the urgency of the prospect’s needs. Example Question: “How high on the priority list is resolving this challenge?”

Pros:

  • More aligned with contemporary buying processes.
  • Places emphasis on addressing customer needs.

Cons:

  • Might require longer conversations to fully qualify a lead.
  • Not always suitable for rapid, transactional sales.

Ideal Use: Solution-based sales environments, especially where understanding customer pain is paramount.


3. ANUM (Authority, Need, Urgency, Money)

History:
An evolved version of BANT, ANUM emphasizes decision-making power first.

Framework:

  1. Authority: Establish the decision-making capacity early on. Example Question: “Can you approve this purchase, or is there a team/process?”
  2. Need: Identify and understand the primary challenges faced. Example Question: “What’s the main problem you’re trying to address?”
  3. Urgency: Gauge how soon the prospect wants a solution. Example Question: “When do you anticipate starting with the solution?”
  4. Money: Determine budgetary allocations. Example Question: “Is there a specific budget range you’ve dedicated for this?”

Pros:

  • Focuses on decision-making power early on.
  • Suitable for high-ticket sales.

Cons:

  • Might miss opportunities with influencers who can sway decision-makers.
  • Less emphasis on challenges compared to CHAMP.

Ideal Use: High-value B2B environments where decision-makers are prominent.


4. FAINT (Funds, Authority, Interest, Need, Timing)

History:
FAINT is an adaptation of BANT, emphasizing available funds rather than a set budget.

Framework:

  1. Funds: Understand if the organization has the funds, even if not a defined budget. Example Question: “Do you have available funds for a potential solution this quarter?”
  2. Authority: Ascertain the decision-making hierarchy. Example Question: “Who would be involved in the final decision for this?”
  3. Interest: Gauge genuine interest in your solution. Example Question: “How does our solution align with your current interests or research?”
  4. Need: Understand the pressing challenges. Example Question: “What are the key needs or problems you’re facing?”
  5. Timing: Determine the buying timeline. Example Question: “Is there an ideal timeframe you’re looking at for deployment?”

Pros:

  • More flexible in budgetary understanding.
  • Addresses both interest and need.

Cons:

  • May lead to longer qualification processes.
  • Not always suitable for rapid sales cycles.

Ideal Use: Industries or situations where budget lines may not be strictly defined but funds are available.


5. MEDDIC (Metrics, Economic Buyer, Decision Criteria, Decision Process, Identify Pain, Champion)

History:
Originating in the enterprise sales environment, MEDDIC is intricate and focuses on detailed qualification.

Framework:

  1. Metrics: Understand the measurable impact of a successful sale. Example Question: “How will our solution impact your bottom line?”
  2. Economic Buyer: Identify the person who has the final say on the budget. Example Question: “Who holds the budget for this project?”
  3. Decision Criteria: Ascertain the criteria used for decision-making. Example Question: “What are your primary considerations when choosing a solution?”
  4. Decision Process: Understand the steps in their buying journey. Example Question: “Can you walk me through your typical decision-making process?”
  5. Identify Pain: Grasp the main problems faced. Example Question: “What’s driving the search for a solution like ours?”
  6. Champion: Identify someone within the prospect’s company who can champion your solution. Example Question: “Is there someone who’s particularly keen on implementing a solution like ours?”

Pros:

  • Highly detailed and comprehensive.
  • Excellent for complex, high-value sales environments.

Cons:

  • Time-consuming.
  • Can be overkill for simpler sales scenarios.

Ideal Use: Large enterprise deals where the sales cycle is longer and the stakes are high.


6. GPCTBA/C&I (Goals, Plans, Challenges, Timeline, Budget, Authority / Negative Consequences & Positive Implications)

History:
A comprehensive framework born from inbound marketing, it not only identifies qualification factors but also the broader implications.

Framework:

  1. Goals: Identify the prospect’s objectives. Example Question: “What are you aiming to achieve in the next quarter/year?”
  2. Plans: Understand their plans to achieve those goals. Example Question: “What plans are in place to reach those goals?”
  3. Challenges: Determine obstacles they anticipate or currently face. Example Question: “What challenges are hindering your plans?”
  4. Timeline: Understand their implementation timeframe. Example Question: “When do you aim to start executing these plans?”
  5. Budget: Gauge their financial allocation. Example Question: “Have you earmarked a budget for these plans?”
  6. Authority: Identify the decision-makers. Example Question: “Who will make the final call on this?”
  7. Negative Consequences & Positive Implications: Understand the broader implications of their actions. Example Questions: “What happens if these plans are delayed?” and “How would successfully implementing these plans transform your business?”

Pros:

  • Offers a holistic understanding of the prospect’s environment.
  • Ties in broader business implications, offering a richer sales narrative.

Cons:

  • Can be lengthy.
  • Requires in-depth conversations that might not always be feasible.

Ideal Use: Inbound sales environments, especially where a consultative approach is beneficial.


Understanding and mastering these frameworks will provide you with the agility to approach diverse prospects effectively. Equip yourself with these tools, but remember – sales is also about intuition and relationship-building. Let’s combine the science and the art to excel!

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Heather Schuck

Growth obsessed. Process driven. With over 20 years of experience solving complex issues that stall revenue, Heather is the Founder and Lead Strategist here at TheSchuck.Agency. Interested in working with her? 

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