--- title: Idea funnel lane settings description: "## Why this feature is needed [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) settings define how ideas are handled at each step of a funnel. Without clear [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) configuration, teams may miss follow-up actions, apply inconsistent status updates, or create confusion about what should happen next.…" url: "https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/knowledge/idea-funnel-lane-settings/" updated: "2026-04-14" category: Idea Management / Idea Funnels --- # Idea funnel lane settings ## Why this feature is needed [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) settings define how ideas are handled at each step of a funnel. Without clear [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) configuration, teams may miss follow-up actions, apply inconsistent status updates, or create confusion about what should happen next. By configuring each [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) properly, organizations can standardize review steps, automate routine actions, support communication, and create a clearer workflow for everyone involved in idea management. ## What this feature is Idea funnel [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) settings are the configuration options available for each [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) in an idea funnel. These settings determine the role of the [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/), the guidance shown to users, the automatic actions that happen when ideas enter the [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/), and how follow-up is managed. Each [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) includes six configuration tabs: General, Details, Automation, Tasks, Communication, and Celebration. Together, these tabs allow admins and power users to define the behavior and experience of that [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) in a structured way. This feature is part of funnel configuration and supports consistent idea progression from intake through review, [Decision](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/decision/), and archive. ## Access level [Admin](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/admin/) You need permission to manage funnel configuration before you can change [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) settings. ## Navigation path Navigation path: Innovation Studio → Settings → Funnel configuration → Open funnel → Open [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) settings ## How to use this feature Each [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) in a funnel should be configured based on the purpose of that stage in the process. For example, an intake [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) may focus on ownership and basic follow-up, while a [Decision](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/decision/) [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) may include deadlines, review tasks, and communication rules. Use the six tabs to define both the workflow behavior and the user experience of the [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/). This helps make sure ideas move through the funnel in a predictable and manageable way. ### Step by step instructions 1. Open **Innovation Studio**. 2. Go to **Settings**. 3. Go to **Data and structures**. 4. Select **Funnel overview**. 5. Open the funnel you want to manage. 6. Select the [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) you want to configure. 7. Open the [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) settings. 8. Review and update the settings in each relevant tab. 9. Save the changes. 10. Repeat this for other lanes if you want to standardize the full funnel flow. ![image](http://www.acceptmission.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/image-66-1024x399.png) ## General The **General** tab contains the core settings of the [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/). - **Title:** The name shown for the [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) in the funnel. - **Owner:** The person responsible for follow-up and content in that [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/). - **Type:** Set the [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) as Default, [Decision](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/decision/), or Archive. - **Color:** Choose a [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) color to improve the visual structure of the board. - **Show in graph:** Decide whether ideas in this [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) are included in graph and bubble views. ## Details The **Details** tab provides extra guidance and context for the [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/). - **Description:** A short explanation of the [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/)’s purpose. This is visible when users hover over the [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) header in the funnel. - **Link to file:** Add a file link for a checklist or additional work instructions related to the [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/). ## Automation The **Automation** tab controls actions that are applied automatically when an idea enters the [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/). - **Set idea owner:** Automatically assign or update the idea owner. - **Set deadline:** Apply a deadline using a fixed date or a number of days. - **Set status:** Automatically update the idea status, for example to Under review or Approved. ![image](http://www.acceptmission.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/image-68-1024x892.png) ## Tasks The **Tasks** tab allows you to create default tasks automatically when an idea enters the [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/). This helps ensure that required actions are not missed. - **Task title** - **Task phase** - **Task owner** - **Task deadline** - **Task status** - **Task description** Use automatic tasks when a [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) always requires the same type of follow-up, such as a completeness check, expert review, or feasibility assessment. ## Communication The **Communication** tab manages notifications related to the [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/). - **Send email notification:** Automatically send an email to the idea owner or another target group. - **Target group:** Choose who should receive the message. - **Dynamic mail template:** Connect a dynamic mail template that defines the email content. This is useful when people need to be informed automatically about a new review stage, a [Decision](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/decision/), or a required next step. ## Celebration The **Celebration** tab adds a visual success effect when ideas reach an important [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/). - **Enable celebration:** Turn on an effect such as confetti, fireworks, or stars. This is often used in [Decision](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/decision/) lanes such as approval or selection to acknowledge progress and create a more positive user experience. ## Configuration and adjustments [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) settings are managed per [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) inside a funnel. This means each [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) can behave differently depending on its role in the process. Keep the [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) setup aligned with the purpose of the stage. Intake lanes may need simple automation and guidance, while [Decision](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/decision/) lanes may need more structured tasks, communication, and celebration settings. Archive lanes are often simpler and may be excluded from graph views. Before changing automation, tasks, or communication rules, consider how those updates affect all ideas that move into that [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) going forward. A clear and consistent [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) structure makes the full funnel easier to manage. ## Practical example – Innovationlands Innovationlands uses a funnel called **New attractions funnel** to manage ideas for new park experiences. Each [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) is configured to match a specific review step. The **Submitted** [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) is configured as the default [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/). It is owned by the Innovation Manager, shown in blue, and included in the graph. Automation assigns the idea owner and sets the idea status to Submitted. A task is created to check whether the submission is complete, and a thank-you email is sent to the contributor. The **Under review** [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) is owned by the review committee. It updates the idea status to In review, adds review tasks automatically, and sends reminders to reviewers. This ensures that promising ideas are enriched and scored consistently. The **Selected for testing** [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) is configured as a [Decision](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/decision/) [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/). It sets a 14-day deadline, changes the status to Testing, and creates feasibility and cost-analysis tasks. The idea owner is notified that the idea has moved forward. The **Approved** [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) also uses [Decision](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/decision/) settings. It updates the status to Approved, creates planning and budgeting tasks, and enables a celebration effect so contributors receive a visible success moment when their idea is approved. The **Archived** [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/) is configured as an archive [Lane](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/lane/), shown in grey, and excluded from graph views. This keeps closed ideas available without mixing them into active [Decision](https://www.acceptmission.com/nl/encyclopedia/decision/) reporting.