Why is validation of requirements essential in a project?

Validation of requirements is essential in a project primarily to ensure alignment with stakeholder expectations. This process involves confirming that the documented requirements accurately reflect what stakeholders need and want from the project. By validating requirements, the project team can identify any discrepancies early, allowing for adjustments before development begins. This alignment is crucial for achieving stakeholder satisfaction and ensuring that the final deliverable meets its intended purpose.

Gathering more requirements, while an important part of the overall requirements management process, is not the primary goal of validation; rather, it focuses on confirming the correctness of existing requirements. Similarly, while effective validation can contribute to overall project efficiency and potentially reduce costs, that is not the fundamental reason for validating. Lastly, while validation can help mitigate risks by uncovering unclear or ambiguous requirements, it is unlikely to eliminate all risks associated with requirements entirely, as risks can stem from various sources beyond just the requirements themselves.