What does validation ensure in systems engineering?

Validation in systems engineering is fundamentally about ensuring that the developed system meets the needs and requirements of its intended use. This involves confirming that the right system has been built for its identified purpose, which directly involves evaluating whether all specified requirements for that specific use case are fulfilled.

The emphasis is on the intended operational environment and the user's needs, addressing whether the system can perform its intended functions effectively when deployed. This process typically involves various techniques, such as testing, simulations, and user reviews, to ascertain that the end product is fit for its intended application.

In contrast, other aspects like user satisfaction can be part of the validation process but don’t solely define it. Similarly, operational efficiency is more related to the system's performance and capability after implementation rather than confirming if the system meets the intended requirements during the development stage. Lastly, confirming that the system was built correctly pertains more to verification, which focuses on whether the system meets design specifications and quality standards rather than ensuring it fulfills the intended use.