Why should configurations be tested prior to deployment?

Testing configurations prior to deployment is crucial to ensure that they will function as intended without introducing any new issues into the system. This step allows administrators to identify and resolve potential problems before the configurations go live, minimizing the risk of negative impacts on operations, user experiences, and system reliability. By conducting thorough testing, organizations can verify that the configurations achieve the desired outcomes and maintain system stability, which is essential for achieving business goals and operational efficiency.

Compliance with legal standards, user training, and time reduction can be important factors in the overall management process, but they do not directly address the immediate need to ensure the functionality and reliability of configurations in a live environment.