The correct answer is to use a CodeBuild build stage to run 'sam package' and 'sam deploy' commands, then separate deploy stages for each environment with manual approval actions. This configuration works because SAM’s packaging step must occur before deployment—CodeBuild handles the packaging and deployment logic natively, while CodePipeline’s stage structure allows you to chain dev, test, and prod environments sequentially, inserting a manual approval action before the production stage to enforce governance. On the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional DOP-C02 exam, this question tests your understanding that SAM pipelines require a build action for packaging, unlike raw CloudFormation, and that CodeDeploy is irrelevant for Lambda-based serverless apps. A common trap is assuming CodePipeline can deploy SAM templates directly, but without a build stage to run 'sam package', the deployment will fail. Memory tip: “Package first, then deploy—approve before prod.”
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 is implementing a CI/CD pipeline using AWS CodePipeline to deploy a serverless application using the AWS Serverless Application Model (SAM). The pipeline must build and package the application, then deploy it to multiple environments (dev, test, prod) sequentially with manual approval gates before production. Which stage configuration should be used?
Use a single CloudFormation stack with a change set approval step
Why wrong: Does not handle SAM packaging and multiple environments.
B
Use a CodeBuild build stage to run 'sam package' and 'sam deploy' commands, then separate deploy stages for each environment with manual approval actions
This covers packaging and sequential deployments with approvals.
C
Configure CodePipeline with a deploy action provider set to AWS CloudFormation
Why wrong: CodePipeline cannot deploy SAM without a prior build step.
D
Use CodeDeploy to deploy the SAM template directly to Lambda
Why wrong: CodeDeploy does not deploy SAM templates directly.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use a CodeBuild build stage to run 'sam package' and 'sam deploy' commands, then separate deploy stages for each environment with manual approval actions
Option D is correct because SAM deploy commands can be run in CodeBuild, and multiple deploy stages can be created in CodePipeline with approval actions. Option A is wrong because CloudFormation alone does not handle packaging. Option B is wrong because CodeDeploy is for EC2/ECS, not Lambda. Option C is wrong because CodePipeline cannot directly deploy SAM templates without a build action to package.
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 a single CloudFormation stack with a change set approval step
Why it's wrong here
Does not handle SAM packaging and multiple environments.
✓
Use a CodeBuild build stage to run 'sam package' and 'sam deploy' commands, then separate deploy stages for each environment with manual approval actions
Why this is correct
This covers packaging and sequential deployments with approvals.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure CodePipeline with a deploy action provider set to AWS CloudFormation
Why it's wrong here
CodePipeline cannot deploy SAM without a prior build step.
✗
Use CodeDeploy to deploy the SAM template directly to Lambda
Why it's wrong here
CodeDeploy does not deploy SAM templates directly.
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: Use a CodeBuild build stage to run 'sam package' and 'sam deploy' commands, then separate deploy stages for each environment with manual approval actions — Option D is correct because SAM deploy commands can be run in CodeBuild, and multiple deploy stages can be created in CodePipeline with approval actions. Option A is wrong because CloudFormation alone does not handle packaging. Option B is wrong because CodeDeploy is for EC2/ECS, not Lambda. Option C is wrong because CodePipeline cannot directly deploy SAM templates without a build action to package.
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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