A method and system of assisting a sales representative to manage a sales opportunity. The method includes the steps of establishing an actual sales cycle for an actual sales opportunity, establishing a degree of focus curve for each of the sales skills of probing, proving, and closing as a function of time within the actual sales cycle, and dividing the sales cycle into probe, prove, and close phases in which the probing, proving and closing degree of focus curves are respectively greater than the other degree of focus curves; comparing actual data relating to the actual sales opportunity with model data relating to a model sales opportunity and determining the nature and extent of any gap between the actual data and the model data; and providing a response to the sales representative to assist the sales representative in modifying activities and strategies for closing any gap or for winning the sale. The response is based, at least in part, on the phase of the sales cycle. The method also includes a means of determining the "probability" that a sale will be won based on the sales representative's assessment on two issues that affect probability. The system calculates a unique value based on this information. A "priority" associated with a sales opportunity is calculated based on the combination of probability and the point of time in the sales cycle.