Along with each step, certain practices proved especially important to the success of their efforts.
( ( Along ( with ( each step ) ) ) ( , ( ( certain practices ) ( ( proved ( especially ( important ( to ( ( the success ) ( of ( their efforts ) ) ) ) ) ) ) . ) ) ) )
(ROOT (S (PP (IN Along) (PP (IN with) (NP (DT each) (NN step)))) (, ,) (NP (JJ certain) (NNS practices)) (VP (VBD proved) (ADJP (RB especially) (JJ important) (PP (TO to) (NP (NP (DT the) (NN success)) (PP (IN of) (NP (PRP$ their) (NNS efforts))))))) (. .)))
Some practices were useless 
( ( Some practices ) ( were useless ) )
(ROOT (S (NP (DT Some) (NNS practices)) (VP (VBD were) (ADJP (JJ useless)))))