The phrase "an initial step in the process" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the first action or phase in a series of actions or stages in a procedure or project.
Example: "Identifying the target audience is an initial step in the process of developing a marketing strategy."
Alternatives: "a preliminary stage in the procedure" or "the first phase in the process."
Despite their ruggedness and extreme longevity, spores rapidly respond to the presence of small specific molecules known as germinants that signal favorable conditions for breaking dormancy through germination, an initial step in the process of completing the lifecycle by returning to vegetative bacteria.
As an initial step in the process, the expert group developed a set of guiding principles for its work.
Hence, the indicators should be used as an initial step in the process of evaluating the quality of care.
Specifically, clinicians should consider using open-ended queries into patients' experiences with discussing depression with family and friends as an initial step in the process.
Determining these data should be probably be an initial step in the process of studying the possible utilization of the optic nerve CSF width to predict raised ICP.
In the first instance bodies used the assessment as an initial step in the process where candidates were required to provide evidence and information regarding their eligibility to take part in the assessment process.
This study marks an initial step in that process.
This systematic, nonbiased analysis of mammalian retinal miRNA target genes represents an initial step in this process.
In this paper, we described a stakeholder-driven conceptual framework development process as an initial step in the creation of an evaluation system.
Understanding how a problem first came to attention can be an important initial step in the process of clarification.
Exclusion of active TB disease is an important initial step in the process of LTBI management.
