What role does 'validation' play in the software development lifecycle?

The correct answer, which emphasizes that validation ensures the software conforms to its intended use, highlights an essential aspect of the software development lifecycle. Validation is a critical process that occurs to verify that the product fulfills the intended purpose and meets the needs and expectations of the stakeholders and end-users. This involves assessing whether the software product is the right solution to the identified problem or requirement.

In the context of software development, validation is typically concerned with the "what" of the product; it answers whether we built the right product. This is different from other processes such as documentation, user interface design, or testing at various stages of development, which focus more on how the requirements are being met or implemented rather than assessing the overall correctness of the product against user needs. Validation often takes place during or after development through activities like user acceptance testing or reviews, ensuring that the final product is ready for deployment and aligns with business goals.

Understanding the role of validation helps ensure that developers and testers focus not just on functionality, but on delivering a product that truly meets user needs, which is crucial in agile environments where customer feedback and adaptability are prioritized.