What is the first step Rob should take for deactivating validation rules during a deployment?

The correct approach for deactivating validation rules during a deployment is to complete the Manual Task deployment step. This involves explicitly managing deployment tasks, including deactivating any validation rules that might interfere with the successful deployment of changes.

Deactivation of validation rules is critical because these rules can prevent records from being saved or processed during a deployment if they trigger unwanted errors. Managing this as part of a Manual Task ensures that the deployment proceeds smoothly without unexpected interruptions.

In contrast, submitting changes immediately or waiting for an email notification does not effectively address the need to manage validation rules. Creating a new user story might be part of a larger project management strategy but does not specifically relate to the task of deactivating validation rules during a deployment.

By initiating the Manual Task step, Rob can ensure that the relevant validation rules are deactivated appropriately, thus paving the way for a successful deployment process without unnecessary friction points.