- A
Set waitFor: ['-'] on the first step and omit waitFor on the others.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Setting waitFor: ['-'] on the first step only makes that step start immediately; the other steps (without waitFor) will wait for the previous step, resulting in sequential execution.
- B
Set waitFor: ['frontend', 'backend', 'worker'] on a subsequent step to run after all three.
Why wrong: Incorrect. This configuration creates a step that runs after all three services complete, but it does not make the three services run in parallel; they would still run sequentially by default.
- C
Set waitFor: ['-'] on all three steps.
Correct. Setting waitFor: ['-'] on all three steps tells Cloud Build that each step has no dependencies, so all start simultaneously, achieving parallel execution.
- D
Use a single step with multiple entrypoints and args.
Why wrong: Incorrect. A single step with multiple entrypoints and args runs those commands sequentially within the step, not parallel across services.
- E
Define three steps (frontend, backend, worker) without any waitFor field.
Correct. When steps are defined without any waitFor field, Cloud Build treats them as having no dependencies by default, causing them to run in parallel.
PCDE Cloud Build waitFor Practice Question
This PCDE practice question tests your understanding of building and implementing ci/cd pipelines for a service. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. A key principle to apply: cloud Build waitFor. 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 Cloud Build to build a multi-service application. They have three services: frontend, backend, and worker. They want to run builds for all three services in parallel to speed up the pipeline. Which of the following cloudbuild.yaml configurations are valid for achieving parallel execution? (Choose TWO).
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
Set waitFor: ['-'] on all three steps.
Both options C and E achieve parallel execution of the three services. In option C, setting `waitFor: ['-']` on all three steps explicitly tells Cloud Build that each step has no dependencies, so they all start simultaneously. In option E, defining the three steps without any `waitFor` field also results in parallel execution because Cloud Build treats steps with no `waitFor` as having no dependencies and starts them at the same time. Options A, B, and D do not produce parallel execution: A runs only the first step immediately and the others sequentially, B defines a step that runs after all three (not parallel for the three), and D uses a single step which runs commands sequentially.
Key principle: Cloud Build waitFor
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Set waitFor: ['-'] on the first step and omit waitFor on the others.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Setting waitFor: ['-'] on the first step only makes that step start immediately; the other steps (without waitFor) will wait for the previous step, resulting in sequential execution.
- ✗
Set waitFor: ['frontend', 'backend', 'worker'] on a subsequent step to run after all three.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. This configuration creates a step that runs after all three services complete, but it does not make the three services run in parallel; they would still run sequentially by default.
- ✓
Set waitFor: ['-'] on all three steps.
Why this is correct
Correct. Setting waitFor: ['-'] on all three steps tells Cloud Build that each step has no dependencies, so all start simultaneously, achieving parallel execution.
Related concept
Cloud Build waitFor
- ✗
Use a single step with multiple entrypoints and args.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. A single step with multiple entrypoints and args runs those commands sequentially within the step, not parallel across services.
- ✓
Define three steps (frontend, backend, worker) without any waitFor field.
Why this is correct
Correct. When steps are defined without any waitFor field, Cloud Build treats them as having no dependencies by default, causing them to run in parallel.
Related concept
Cloud Build waitFor
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
Incorrect. A single step with multiple entrypoints and args runs those commands sequentially within the step, not parallel across services.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Treat this as a scenario question. Identify the problem, the constraint, and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Cloud Build waitFor
- Parallel step execution
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
Cloud Build waitFor
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. Cloud Build waitFor 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.
Review cloud Build waitFor, then practise related PCDE questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCDE question test?
Building and Implementing CI/CD Pipelines for a Service — This question tests Building and Implementing CI/CD Pipelines for a Service — Cloud Build waitFor.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set waitFor: ['-'] on all three steps. — Both options C and E achieve parallel execution of the three services. In option C, setting `waitFor: ['-']` on all three steps explicitly tells Cloud Build that each step has no dependencies, so they all start simultaneously. In option E, defining the three steps without any `waitFor` field also results in parallel execution because Cloud Build treats steps with no `waitFor` as having no dependencies and starts them at the same time. Options A, B, and D do not produce parallel execution: A runs only the first step immediately and the others sequentially, B defines a step that runs after all three (not parallel for the three), and D uses a single step which runs commands sequentially.
What should I do if I get this PCDE question wrong?
Review cloud Build waitFor, then practise related PCDE questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Cloud Build waitFor
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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