- A
Configure the CloudFormation deployment action in CodePipeline with 'ActionMode' set to 'CREATE_UPDATE' and check the 'Rollback on failure' option.
CodePipeline's CloudFormation action supports automatic rollback on failure.
- B
Use the CodePipeline console to enable 'Automatic rollback' for the Deploy stage.
Why wrong: CodePipeline does not have an automatic rollback for stage failures; it has 'Stage transition' settings.
- C
Set the stack's 'DisableRollback' parameter to 'true' in the template.
Why wrong: Disabling rollback would cause the stack to remain in a failed state, not roll back.
- D
Add a stack policy to the CloudFormation stack that denies updates to the AMI parameter.
Why wrong: A stack policy prevents updates to specific resources, but does not trigger rollback.
Quick Answer
The correct choice is to configure the CloudFormation deployment action in CodePipeline with 'ActionMode' set to 'CREATE_UPDATE' and check the 'Rollback on failure' option. This works because when 'Rollback on failure' is enabled, CloudFormation automatically reverts the stack to its last known good state—the previously deployed stack—if an update fails, such as from a deprecated AMI reference. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how CodePipeline integrates with CloudFormation’s stack lifecycle, specifically the distinction between 'CREATE_UPDATE' and 'REPLACE_ON_FAILURE' modes; a common trap is assuming you need a separate rollback action or a change set. Remember that 'Rollback on failure' is a checkbox within the action configuration, not a separate pipeline stage. A helpful memory tip: think of it as "update and auto-revert" to recall that the stack is updated first, then automatically rolled back if the update fails.
DOP-C02 Configuration Management and IaC Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of configuration management and iac. 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 DevOps team uses AWS CodePipeline to automate deployments. The pipeline has a Deploy stage that uses AWS CloudFormation to create or update a stack. Recently, a stack update failed because the template referenced an AMI that was deprecated. The team wants to automatically roll back the stack to the last known good state if a deployment fails. What should they do?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Configure the CloudFormation deployment action in CodePipeline with 'ActionMode' set to 'CREATE_UPDATE' and check the 'Rollback on failure' option.
Option A is correct because the CloudFormation deployment action in CodePipeline supports a 'Rollback on failure' option when 'ActionMode' is set to 'CREATE_UPDATE'. When enabled, if the stack update fails, CloudFormation automatically rolls back the stack to the last known good state (the previously deployed stack). This directly addresses the team's requirement to revert to a stable state after a failed deployment due to a deprecated AMI.
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.
- ✓
Configure the CloudFormation deployment action in CodePipeline with 'ActionMode' set to 'CREATE_UPDATE' and check the 'Rollback on failure' option.
Why this is correct
CodePipeline's CloudFormation action supports automatic rollback on failure.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use the CodePipeline console to enable 'Automatic rollback' for the Deploy stage.
Why it's wrong here
CodePipeline does not have an automatic rollback for stage failures; it has 'Stage transition' settings.
- ✗
Set the stack's 'DisableRollback' parameter to 'true' in the template.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling rollback would cause the stack to remain in a failed state, not roll back.
- ✗
Add a stack policy to the CloudFormation stack that denies updates to the AMI parameter.
Why it's wrong here
A stack policy prevents updates to specific resources, but does not trigger rollback.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse the CloudFormation stack-level 'DisableRollback' parameter (which controls rollback during stack creation) with the CodePipeline action-level 'Rollback on failure' option, leading them to incorrectly select Option C.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, when 'Rollback on failure' is enabled in the CodePipeline CloudFormation action, the pipeline invokes the CloudFormation UpdateStack API with the 'RollbackConfiguration' parameter set to monitor the stack creation or update. If the stack enters a 'ROLLBACK_IN_PROGRESS' state due to a failure, CloudFormation reverts to the previous stack template and parameters. A real-world scenario where this matters is when a pipeline deploys multiple stacks in sequence; a failed rollback on one stack could leave dependent stacks in an inconsistent state, so the team should also consider using change sets or stack policies to prevent destructive updates.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this DOP-C02 question test?
Configuration Management and IaC — This question tests Configuration Management and IaC — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure the CloudFormation deployment action in CodePipeline with 'ActionMode' set to 'CREATE_UPDATE' and check the 'Rollback on failure' option. — Option A is correct because the CloudFormation deployment action in CodePipeline supports a 'Rollback on failure' option when 'ActionMode' is set to 'CREATE_UPDATE'. When enabled, if the stack update fails, CloudFormation automatically rolls back the stack to the last known good state (the previously deployed stack). This directly addresses the team's requirement to revert to a stable state after a failed deployment due to a deprecated AMI.
What should I do if I get this DOP-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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