The answer is to create a custom AMI that includes all dependencies and use it in the Auto Scaling group. This is the best long-term solution because baking dependencies directly into the AMI ensures every instance launched from it has the required software pre-installed, eliminating the root cause of the deployment failure. By contrast, relying on CodeDeploy scripts to install dependencies on-the-fly introduces fragility, as network issues or timing problems can cause the installation to fail on some instances. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of immutable infrastructure patterns versus mutable deployments, where the correct approach is to shift left and embed dependencies into the golden image. A common trap is to choose a solution that only patches the deployment script or adds a lifecycle hook, which does not prevent the same failure on future instance launches. Memory tip: “Bake it, don’t break it”—if a dependency is critical for your app, put it in the AMI, not in the deployment script.
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 team uses AWS CodeDeploy to deploy a web application to an Auto Scaling group. The deployment fails with the error 'The overall deployment failed because too many individual instances failed deployment, too few healthy instances are available, or some instances in your deployment group are experiencing problems.' The team checks the logs and finds that the application installation script fails on some instances due to missing dependencies. What is the BEST long-term solution?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a custom AMI that includes all dependencies and use it in the Auto Scaling group.
Option A is correct because baking dependencies into the AMI ensures all instances have them. Option B is wrong because it does not fix the root cause. Option C is wrong because it only works for in-place deployments. Option D is wrong because it does not prevent script failures.
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.
✓
Create a custom AMI that includes all dependencies and use it in the Auto Scaling group.
Why this is correct
Baking dependencies into the AMI avoids runtime installation issues and ensures consistency.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use an Elastic Load Balancer health check to automatically replace failed instances.
Why it's wrong here
Health checks replace instances but do not fix the script failure; new instances will also fail.
✗
Modify the CodeDeploy AppSpec file to run the installation script as root.
Why it's wrong here
Running as root does not install missing dependencies.
✗
Implement a retry mechanism in the deployment script to install dependencies again.
Why it's wrong here
Retrying does not address the root cause if dependencies are missing; it may eventually succeed but is not robust.
Common exam traps
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
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: Create a custom AMI that includes all dependencies and use it in the Auto Scaling group. — Option A is correct because baking dependencies into the AMI ensures all instances have them. Option B is wrong because it does not fix the root cause. Option C is wrong because it only works for in-place deployments. Option D is wrong because it does not prevent script failures.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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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