1. First step

• Firstly/First/To start with/ Initially/At 1^st stage/ First of all + Clause
• The first step/stage is/involves + noun phrase/V-ing
• The process commences with (sth + V-ing)/(noun phrase)
• The first step is when + clause

• Next/Then/Afterwards/Subsequently/After that/At the next stage + Clause
• Following (that)/(noun phrase) is V-ing/(noun phrase)
• …, followed by…

• Finally/Lastly
• The process ends with (sth V-ing)/(noun phrase)