preliminary

nouns

a minor match preceding the main event
prelim, preliminary
something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows
"training is a necessary preliminary to employment"; "drinks were the overture to dinner"
overture, preliminary, prelude

adjectives

denoting an action or event preceding or in preparation for something more important; designed to orient or acquaint with a situation before proceeding
"a preliminary investigation"
preliminary
is similar to
serving in or intended for exploration or discovery
"an exploratory operation"; "exploratory reconnaissance"; "digging an exploratory well in the Gulf of Mexico"; "exploratory talks between diplomats"
explorative, exploratory