Opportunity stages describe progress through a sale. A sales process and record type can offer a stage subset suited to that motion. A renewal may need fewer steps than a new customer rollout, but both still need a meaningful close date and a clear open or closed outcome.
Path can present guidance and important fields without replacing validation. Likewise, a high probability doesn't make a record closed; the stage carries that meaning. When building a pipeline view, exclude both Closed Won and Closed Lost. Test a zero-value opportunity and a stale date so a familiar-looking total doesn't hide a population mistake. Configure the process first, then check the records and reports that rely on it.