The answer is that the Cloud Build service account lacks the necessary IAM permissions on the Cloud Functions API, specifically the Cloud Functions Developer role. This is the most likely cause of an intermittent PERMISSION_DENIED error when deploying Cloud Functions because Cloud Build uses its default compute engine service account to execute builds, and that account must be granted the roles/cloudfunctions.developer role to invoke the gcloud functions deploy command. On the Google Professional Cloud Developer exam, this tests your understanding of service account impersonation and least-privilege IAM design, often appearing as a trap where candidates blame repository triggers or syntax errors. A common memory tip is to remember that Cloud Build is just a pipeline—it needs explicit permission to touch Cloud Functions, just like any other user. Think "Build needs Build-in permission to Function."
PCD Deploying applications Practice Question
This PCD practice question tests your understanding of deploying applications. 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 team uses Cloud Build to automatically deploy a Cloud Function on push to a repository. The build fails intermittently with 'PERMISSION_DENIED' when executing gcloud functions deploy. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The Cloud Build service account lacks the necessary IAM permissions on the Cloud Functions API.
Option A is correct because the Cloud Build service account needs the Cloud Functions Developer role. Option B is wrong because repository access is not the issue. Option C is wrong because region mismatch would give a different error. Option D is wrong because build configuration syntax error would give a parsing error.
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.
✗
The region specified in the build configuration does not match the function's region.
Why it's wrong here
That would cause a different error.
✗
The build configuration file has a syntax error.
Why it's wrong here
Syntax errors would fail earlier.
✗
The Cloud Source Repository does not have the correct triggers.
Why it's wrong here
Triggers are set up correctly if build starts.
✓
The Cloud Build service account lacks the necessary IAM permissions on the Cloud Functions API.
Why this is correct
Cloud Build requires roles/cloudfunctions.developer to deploy functions.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
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.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which PCD 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.
Deploying applications — This question tests Deploying applications — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The Cloud Build service account lacks the necessary IAM permissions on the Cloud Functions API. — Option A is correct because the Cloud Build service account needs the Cloud Functions Developer role. Option B is wrong because repository access is not the issue. Option C is wrong because region mismatch would give a different error. Option D is wrong because build configuration syntax error would give a parsing error.
What should I do if I get this PCD question wrong?
Identify which PCD 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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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This PCD practice question is part of Courseiva's free Google Cloud certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PCD exam.
Question Discussion
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