The correct solution is to use CloudFormation Change Sets and require manual approval to execute the change set. This works because a change set allows you to review CloudFormation changes before applying them, giving you a detailed preview of exactly which resources will be modified, added, or deleted without making any actual changes to the running stack. By coupling this with a manual approval step—such as using IAM policies that restrict the `cloudformation:ExecuteChangeSet` action to authorized reviewers—you enforce a formal review-and-approval workflow that prevents unauthorized modifications. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of safe deployment practices and the difference between direct stack updates and change set workflows; a common trap is choosing stack policies or drift detection, which do not provide a pre-approval review mechanism. Remember the key distinction: change sets let you “preview and approve,” while direct updates skip the review entirely. A helpful memory tip is “Change sets = Check before you commit.”
DOP-C02 Incident and Event Response Practice Question
This DOP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of incident and event response. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 is using AWS CloudFormation to deploy infrastructure. An engineer needs to ensure that any changes to the production stack are reviewed and approved before they are applied. The engineer also wants to prevent unauthorized changes. Which solution should the engineer implement?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use CloudFormation Change Sets and require manual approval to execute the change set.
CloudFormation Change Sets allow you to preview how proposed changes to a stack will impact running resources before you apply them. By requiring manual approval to execute the change set, the engineer ensures that all modifications are reviewed and approved, preventing unauthorized changes. This directly meets the requirement for a review-and-approval workflow without introducing unnecessary complexity.
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.
✗
Use CloudFormation StackSets to manage the production stack across multiple accounts.
Why it's wrong here
StackSets are for deployment across accounts, not for change review.
✓
Use CloudFormation Change Sets and require manual approval to execute the change set.
Why this is correct
Change Sets allow you to review proposed changes before applying them.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use AWS Service Catalog to create a product for the stack and require approval for any portfolio changes.
Why it's wrong here
Service Catalog manages product portfolios, not direct stack updates.
✗
Use AWS CodePipeline to deploy the stack and require manual approval at the deploy stage.
Why it's wrong here
CodePipeline can include a manual approval step, but CloudFormation Change Sets provide a more native review of actual changes.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the purpose of StackSets (multi-account deployment) or CodePipeline (CI/CD pipeline) with the need for a simple change review mechanism, overlooking the direct and built-in capability of CloudFormation Change Sets to preview and require approval before applying changes.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
CloudFormation Change Sets generate a list of resource-level modifications (e.g., replacement, modification, or no interruption) by comparing the current stack template with the proposed template. The change set is not executed until the user explicitly calls the execute-change-set action, which can be gated by IAM policies that require a specific permission (e.g., cloudformation:ExecuteChangeSet) only granted after manual approval. In a real-world scenario, you can combine this with AWS Config rules or custom Lambda functions to automatically reject change sets that violate compliance policies before human review.
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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Incident and Event Response — This question tests Incident and Event Response — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use CloudFormation Change Sets and require manual approval to execute the change set. — CloudFormation Change Sets allow you to preview how proposed changes to a stack will impact running resources before you apply them. By requiring manual approval to execute the change set, the engineer ensures that all modifications are reviewed and approved, preventing unauthorized changes. This directly meets the requirement for a review-and-approval workflow without introducing unnecessary complexity.
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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Question Discussion
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