- A
Create a Docker image of the entire monolithic application and run it on ECS with Fargate.
Why wrong: This does not achieve microservices; it's just containerization of the monolith.
- B
Use a strangler fig pattern: gradually replace parts of the monolith with microservices, routing traffic via an Application Load Balancer.
This incremental approach minimizes downtime and risk, allowing both old and new to coexist.
- C
Run the monolithic application on the same EC2 instance as the new microservices, using different ports.
Why wrong: This doesn't decompose the application and may cause resource contention.
- D
Refactor the entire application into microservices, then deploy all microservices at once on ECS.
Why wrong: A big-bang approach increases risk and likely causes extended downtime.
SAP-C02 Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions Practice Question
This SAP-C02 practice question tests your understanding of continuous improvement for existing solutions. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 has a monolithic application running on a single Amazon EC2 instance. The application consists of a web server and a backend worker process. The company wants to migrate to a microservices architecture using containers on Amazon ECS with Fargate. The solutions architect needs to design a solution that minimizes downtime during the migration. Which approach should the solutions architect recommend?
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
Use a strangler fig pattern: gradually replace parts of the monolith with microservices, routing traffic via an Application Load Balancer.
Option B is correct because a strangler fig pattern allows incremental migration of functionality from the monolith to microservices, with the ALB routing traffic to either the monolith or new services. This minimizes downtime because the old application remains operational while pieces are moved. Option A is wrong because a lift-and-shift of the entire application into a single container does not decompose it into microservices. Option C is wrong because running both the monolith and new services on the same instance but on different ports does not inherently minimize downtime and complicates routing. Option D is wrong because refactoring the entire application at once introduces significant risk and downtime.
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 Docker image of the entire monolithic application and run it on ECS with Fargate.
Why it's wrong here
This does not achieve microservices; it's just containerization of the monolith.
- ✓
Use a strangler fig pattern: gradually replace parts of the monolith with microservices, routing traffic via an Application Load Balancer.
Why this is correct
This incremental approach minimizes downtime and risk, allowing both old and new to coexist.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Run the monolithic application on the same EC2 instance as the new microservices, using different ports.
Why it's wrong here
This doesn't decompose the application and may cause resource contention.
- ✗
Refactor the entire application into microservices, then deploy all microservices at once on ECS.
Why it's wrong here
A big-bang approach increases risk and likely causes extended downtime.
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 SAP-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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SAP-C02 question test?
Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — This question tests Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a strangler fig pattern: gradually replace parts of the monolith with microservices, routing traffic via an Application Load Balancer. — Option B is correct because a strangler fig pattern allows incremental migration of functionality from the monolith to microservices, with the ALB routing traffic to either the monolith or new services. This minimizes downtime because the old application remains operational while pieces are moved. Option A is wrong because a lift-and-shift of the entire application into a single container does not decompose it into microservices. Option C is wrong because running both the monolith and new services on the same instance but on different ports does not inherently minimize downtime and complicates routing. Option D is wrong because refactoring the entire application at once introduces significant risk and downtime.
What should I do if I get this SAP-C02 question wrong?
Identify which SAP-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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Last reviewed: Jun 20, 2026
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