> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.patagon.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.patagon.ai/en/agent-optimization/optimizing-lead-qualification.md).

# How to optimize lead qualification

These are the five practices that have the highest impact on your agent's qualification rate.

1. **Focus on BANT from the first message.** Configure your agent to collect BANT (Budget: how much they can spend, Authority: who makes the decision, Need: what problem they have, Timeline: when they need it) early in the conversation.
2. **Use closed questions for critical data.** Ask for binary or multiple-choice responses when collecting budget or timeline.
3. **Define what to do when a lead is evasive.** If a lead won't share their budget, your agent needs a fallback: offer to schedule a call or send supporting material.
4. **Set explicit handoff conditions.** Define the exact criteria for transferring a lead to a human: name + phone + budget confirmed + decision authority confirmed = transfer.
5. **Review and update your prompt weekly.** Check conversations where qualification failed. Add those failure patterns to your prompt.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Change one field at a time when iterating. Changing multiple fields simultaneously makes it impossible to identify what improved or broke the qualification.
{% endhint %}

Track your qualification rate in the Dashboard. A healthy range is 30–60%. If you're below 30%, start by reviewing your conversation flow and qualification threshold.


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