What should be conducted before deploying software to a production environment?

Conducting thorough testing before deploying software to a production environment is vital to ensure the software meets its intended requirements and functions as expected in real-world conditions. This process allows developers and testers to identify and resolve any issues, bugs, or vulnerabilities before the software is made available to end-users. Implementing extensive testing, including unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and user acceptance testing, helps catch potential problems early, reducing the risk of system failures, performance issues, or user dissatisfaction once the software is live.

While training end-users, reviewing installation manuals, and setting up hardware are important steps in the deployment process, they all assume that the software is functioning correctly and ready for use. Testing is the foundational step that ensures the reliability and stability of the software, making it the most critical action prior to any deployment in a production environment.