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))))))) (. .)))
No practices were helpful 
( ( No practices ) ( were helpful ) )
(ROOT (S (NP (DT No) (NNS practices)) (VP (VBD were) (ADJP (JJ helpful)))))