AZ-400 Configure processes and communications Practice Question
Which TWO Azure DevOps features can be used to automate the process of updating work items when a build or release completes?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse release gates (Option C) as a direct automation feature for work item updates. However, release gates only evaluate conditions and lack native work item update actions. The correct features are the 'Update work item' pipeline task (native) and service hooks (customizable via external 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
✓
Pipeline task 'Update work item' from the Azure DevOps extension.
The 'Update work item' pipeline task, available via the Azure DevOps Extension, directly modifies work items as part of a build or release pipeline, providing native automation. Option B is correct because service hooks can trigger external processes (e.g., an Azure function) that update work items via the REST API, offering flexibility for custom logic. Option C is incorrect because release gates are designed to evaluate conditions (e.g., quality checks) and do not include built-in actions to directly update work items. Options D and E are unrelated; query charts are for visualization, and branch policies with required reviewers enforce code review, not work item updates.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Pipeline task 'Update work item' from the Azure DevOps extension.
Why this is correct
The 'Update work item' pipeline task is a built-in task that directly modifies work items (e.g., change state, assignee) upon pipeline completion, making it a native automation feature.
- ✓
Service hooks to trigger an Azure function.
Why this is correct
Service hooks can be configured to send events to an Azure function or other external service, which can then use the Azure DevOps REST API to update work items. This provides a customizable automation solution.
- ✗
Release gates with work item update actions.
Why it's wrong here
Release gates are used to evaluate conditions (e.g., monitoring metrics) before allowing a release to proceed; they do not have built-in actions to update work items.
- ✗
Work item query charts.
Why it's wrong here
Work item query charts are for visualizing query results and do not automate updates.
- ✗
Branch policy with required reviewers.
Why it's wrong here
Branch policies with required reviewers enforce pull request approvals, not work item updates.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to DevOps and Azure DevOps
Key term
REST API
A REST API is a set of rules that allows different software applications to communicate with each other over the internet using standard HTTP methods.
Key term
Azure DevOps
Azure DevOps is a Microsoft service that provides development tools for planning, building, testing, and deploying software applications using automated pipelines and collaboration features.
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