Which method can a consultant use to validate customizations with the latest NPSP release after announcements?

Testing customizations in an updated sandbox is the most effective method for validating that those customizations work correctly with the latest Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP) release. A sandbox environment allows a consultant to replicate the production environment where the NPSP operates, making it easier to assess how new features and changes could impact existing customizations. This approach provides a safe space for thorough testing without affecting live data or system functionality. By validating in an updated sandbox, consultants can ensure compatibility and identify any issues that may arise from changes in the NPSP before deploying updates to the production environment.

Other methods, while potentially useful, do not provide the same level of validation for customizations. Comparing customizations to the NPSP roadmap gives insights into future features and developments but does not test current functionality. Installing the NPSP in a new Developer Edition org could enable the testing of new features but lacks the context of how customizations built in a previous environment interact with the new release, since the setup would be entirely new. Configuring a scratch org with NPSP dependency can also be beneficial for isolated development, yet, it is typically utilized for rapid development and integration rather than validating existing customizations against an update. Therefore, using an updated sandbox