What is an essential step in the verification process before merging changes?

Running critical automated tests against the changes is a vital step in the verification process before merging changes. This practice ensures that any new code introduced is functioning as intended and does not break existing functionality. Automated tests can quickly run through various scenarios, checking for issues that may arise from the new changes, which can include unit tests, integration tests, and regression tests. This step is essential for maintaining the integrity and quality of the codebase, as it allows developers to identify and rectify issues early in the development cycle, minimizing the risk of introducing bugs into the main codebase when the changes are merged.

In contrast, creating new user stories, documenting user feedback, and training new developers do not directly relate to the verification of code changes. While creating user stories helps manage project tasks, documenting feedback is more about understanding user requirements and experiences, and training new developers focuses on onboarding rather than ensuring code quality before integration. Thus, while these activities are important in the broader scope of software development, they do not play a direct role in verifying that modifications are ready for merging.