# Typical FastStats Designer session

In a typical basic FastStats Designer session you will use these windows more or less in sequence:

## Steps in a typical session

1. Define system names, path names and general properties using [system configuration](<https://help.apteco.com/en/designer/system-configuration/index.md>).
2. Identify and configure properties for [data sources](<https://help.apteco.com/en/designer/data-source/index.md>) to define FastStats tables.
3. Use [table relationships](<https://help.apteco.com/en/designer/table-relationships/index.md>) to specify joins between the FastStats tables.
4. (Optionally) modify properties of [variables](<https://help.apteco.com/en/designer/define-variables/index.md>) within the FastStats tables.
5. Build the FastStats system monitoring progress and any errors using the [progress](<https://help.apteco.com/en/designer/build-faststats-system/monitoring-build-progress/index.md>) window.
6. Investigate and verify the resulting FastStats system by viewing the [system summary](<https://help.apteco.com/en/designer/build-faststats-system/system-summary/index.md>)

Remember to save your work by using **Save** from the File menu or the equivalent button.