Preliminarily

pre·lim·i·nar·y  (pr-lm-nr)

adj.

Prior to or preparing for the main matter, action, or business; introductory or prefatory.

n. pl. pre·lim·i·nar·ies

1. Something that precedes, prepares for, or introduces the main matter, action, or business.

2. An academic test or examination that is preparatory to one that is longer, more complex, or more important.

3. Sports A contest to determine the finalists in a competition.

4. Sports An event that precedes the main event of a particular program, especially in boxing or wrestling.

5. Printing The front matter of a book. Often used in the plural.

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[From New Latin praelminris : Latin prae-, pre- + Latin lmen, lmin-, threshold.]

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pre·limi·nari·ly (-nâr-l) adv.

Synonyms: preliminary, introductory, prefatory, preparatory
These adjectives mean going before and preparing the way for something else: a preliminary investigation; introductory remarks; an author's prefatory notes; preparatory steps.