---
title: Validate for a Project
nav_order: 14
tags:
    - Guide
    - External
    - User
# exclude-from-main-guides-list
---

## Validate for a Project

This section explains how to find tasks ready for validation, review mapping against project requirements, and handle the restriction on validating your own mapping.

_For a list of all guides on the TCAT Wiki, refer to the [Guides List](../../../guides-list/index.md)._{ .guides-list-ref }

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### Find a task ready for validation

1. Open the project and select **Tasks**
2. Use **Status** to filter for **Ready for validation**
3. Select a task ID or its area on the map
4. Read the project's **Instructions** tab before reviewing the mapping

When **Review Required** is enabled for a project, validator review is required before tasks can be completed. Projects can assign users the **Validator** role; ask the project lead if you are unsure whether you are assigned to review tasks.

---

### Review the mapping

Validation is a quality check of mapping completed by another contributor. Use the project's instructions as the review criteria. Depending on the project, check that:

- Features are present and their shapes and positions match the intended real-world features
- Features align with the imagery or other evidence specified by the project
- Where the project expects connected features, they form the required network without unintended gaps
- Required tags and attributes follow the project's instructions

The exact features, evidence, tags, and attributes vary by project. Do not apply a tag list or requirement from another project without confirming that it applies here.

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### Record the validation outcome

1. If the mapping meets the project requirements, use the validation action in the task panel to record the review
2. If issues remain, do not approve the task; follow the project's correction process and clearly describe the issue and what needs to change
3. If the review action or correction process is unclear, check the project instructions or ask the project lead

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### Cannot validate your own mapping

If a task is **Ready for validation** and you created its mapping, the action panel can show **Cannot Validate Own Mapping** instead of a validation action. Validation is an independent review, so ask another project validator or the project lead to review your task.

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**Previous:** [Contribute to a Project](contribute.md) | **Next:** [Workspace Review](../review.md)