Paces; stages (5)
I believe the answer is:
steps
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'paces' is the first definition.
('step' can be a synonym of 'pace')
'stages' is the second definition.
(both can mean parts of a process)
(Other definitions for steps that I've seen before include "blocks supporting masts" , "Stiles" , "Stairs; paces" , "Sequence of foot movements in a dance" , "John Buchan used 39 of them" .)