The correct answer is to delete the stack and create a new one with the updated template. A stack in the ROLLBACK_COMPLETE state indicates that a previous stack creation or update failed and the rollback finished successfully, leaving the stack in a terminal, immutable condition where no update or rollback continuation operation is possible. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of CloudFormation stack lifecycle states and recovery procedures; a common trap is confusing ROLLBACK_COMPLETE with UPDATE_ROLLBACK_FAILED, which does allow the continue-update-rollback command. Remember that once a stack reaches ROLLBACK_COMPLETE, you cannot update it, resume it, or continue the rollback—the only path forward is to delete the stack entirely and recreate it. A useful memory tip: "Complete means delete and repeat."
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.
Refer to the exhibit. A DevOps engineer sees the following error when trying to update a CloudFormation stack: 'Stack [arn:aws:cloudformation:us-west-2:123456789012:stack/MyStack/abc123] is in ROLLBACK_COMPLETE state and can not be updated.' What should the engineer do to proceed?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Delete the stack and create a new one with the updated template.
Option D is correct. A stack in ROLLBACK_COMPLETE state cannot be updated; it must be deleted and recreated. Option A is wrong because continue-update-rollback is for stacks in UPDATE_ROLLBACK_FAILED state. Option B is wrong because there is no 'resume' operation. Option C is wrong because you cannot update a stack in ROLLBACK_COMPLETE.
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.
✗
Run 'aws cloudformation continue-update-rollback' to finish the rollback and then update.
Why it's wrong here
That command is for stacks stuck in UPDATE_ROLLBACK_FAILED, not ROLLBACK_COMPLETE.
✗
Modify the stack's template and try the update again.
Why it's wrong here
Cannot update a stack in ROLLBACK_COMPLETE state.
✗
Use the 'aws cloudformation resume-update' command to resume the update.
Why it's wrong here
No such command exists.
✓
Delete the stack and create a new one with the updated template.
Why this is correct
A stack in ROLLBACK_COMPLETE must be deleted and recreated.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
That command is for stacks stuck in UPDATE_ROLLBACK_FAILED, not ROLLBACK_COMPLETE.
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: Delete the stack and create a new one with the updated template. — Option D is correct. A stack in ROLLBACK_COMPLETE state cannot be updated; it must be deleted and recreated. Option A is wrong because continue-update-rollback is for stacks in UPDATE_ROLLBACK_FAILED state. Option B is wrong because there is no 'resume' operation. Option C is wrong because you cannot update a stack in ROLLBACK_COMPLETE.
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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