Scheduled and Continuous Deployment: Two Release Pipeline Triggers
Which TWO triggers can start a release in Azure Pipelines?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse triggers that apply to build pipelines (CI, PR) with those that apply to release pipelines, leading them to select 'Continuous integration' or 'Pull request' as valid release triggers.
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
✓
Schedule
Option B (Schedule) is correct because Azure Pipelines release pipelines support scheduled triggers, configured via the pipeline's Triggers tab or YAML scheduled triggers, which start a release at defined times (e.g., cron-based schedules). Option C (Build completion) is correct because a release can be triggered when a specified build (artifact source) completes successfully, using the build completion trigger that monitors a chosen build pipeline. Option A (Continuous integration) is not a release trigger in this context; CI triggers start builds, not releases (the release equivalent is the continuous deployment trigger on an artifact). Option D (Work item state change) is not a supported release trigger in Azure Pipelines. Option E (Pull request) is a build/CI trigger (PR triggers on branches), not a release trigger.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Continuous integration
Why it's wrong here
Continuous integration triggers builds when code is committed; it does not start releases, which require continuous deployment or scheduled triggers. It is tempting because CI is the classic pipeline trigger, and would be correct for automatically running a build rather than a release.
- ✓
Schedule
Why this is correct
A schedule trigger starts a release automatically at defined times, independent of code changes. This satisfies the question's requirement for a valid release trigger, enabling recurring deployments such as nightly or maintenance-window releases without manual intervention.
- ✓
Build completion
Why this is correct
Build completion triggers a release automatically whenever a specified build pipeline finishes successfully, satisfying the requirement for a pipeline-based trigger. Azure Pipelines supports this as a continuous deployment trigger, alongside scheduled triggers, whereas manual approval gates and pull requests cannot initiate a release directly.
- ✗
Work item state change
Why it's wrong here
Release triggers in Azure Pipelines are continuous deployment, scheduled, and pull-request based; work item state changes are not a supported release trigger. It is tempting because Azure Boards integration can link work items to builds, but that linkage does not initiate a release pipeline.
- ✗
Pull request
Why it's wrong here
Pull request triggers are supported for YAML pipelines (build validation), not as release pipeline triggers. It is tempting because PR triggers gate code merges, but release pipelines respond to artifact sources such as build completion or schedules instead.
Visual reference
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
Implementing Work Item Management and Agile Planning
Key term
Build pipeline
A build pipeline is an automated sequence of steps that compiles source code into a deployable artifact, running tests and checks along the way.
Key term
Work item
A work item is a digital record in Azure DevOps that tracks a single unit of work, such as a task, bug, or user story, helping teams manage and monitor their progress.
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