The correct answer is to add a DependsOn attribute in the CloudFormation template to ensure the IAM role is created before the Lambda function. This works because CloudFormation’s DependsOn attribute explicitly defines resource creation order, overriding the default parallel creation behavior; without it, the Lambda function may launch before its required IAM role, causing deployment failures. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this tests your understanding of CloudFormation intrinsic functions and resource dependencies, often appearing in scenarios where implicit dependencies (like a Lambda function referencing a role ARN) are not enough to guarantee ordering. A common trap is assuming CloudFormation automatically detects all dependencies, but it only infers them from parameter references—not from IAM role-to-function relationships. Remember the memory tip: “If it’s not in the Ref or Fn::GetAtt, DependsOn is your safety net.”
DOP-C02 SDLC Automation Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of sdlc automation. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A company uses AWS CodePipeline to deploy a serverless application. The pipeline has a source stage (CodeCommit), a build stage (CodeBuild), and a deploy stage (CloudFormation). The deployment consistently fails because the Lambda function's IAM role is not created before the function. The team uses a single CloudFormation template. Which action should be taken to resolve this dependency issue?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add a DependsOn attribute in the CloudFormation template to ensure the IAM role is created before the Lambda function.
Option A is correct because CloudFormation handles resource dependencies via the DependsOn attribute. The issue is that the template likely lacks a DependsOn on the Lambda function resource to wait for the IAM role. Adding DependsOn ensures the role is created first. Option B is wrong because nested stacks add complexity but don't inherently fix dependency ordering. Option C is wrong because the role should be in the same template. Option D is wrong because wait conditions are for external signals, not resource dependencies.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Add a DependsOn attribute in the CloudFormation template to ensure the IAM role is created before the Lambda function.
Why this is correct
DependsOn explicitly sets creation order.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Create the IAM role in a separate CodeBuild action before the deploy stage.
Why it's wrong here
This would be outside CloudFormation and add complexity.
✗
Add a wait condition in the CloudFormation template.
Why it's wrong here
Wait conditions are for external signals, not internal dependencies.
✗
Separate the IAM role into a nested stack and reference it.
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which DOP-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
SDLC Automation — This question tests SDLC Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add a DependsOn attribute in the CloudFormation template to ensure the IAM role is created before the Lambda function. — Option A is correct because CloudFormation handles resource dependencies via the DependsOn attribute. The issue is that the template likely lacks a DependsOn on the Lambda function resource to wait for the IAM role. Adding DependsOn ensures the role is created first. Option B is wrong because nested stacks add complexity but don't inherently fix dependency ordering. Option C is wrong because the role should be in the same template. Option D is wrong because wait conditions are for external signals, not resource dependencies.
What should I do if I get this DOP-C02 question wrong?
Identify which DOP-C02 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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