- A
Create reusable workflows in a central repository and use the 'uses' keyword in each repository's workflow to reference them.
Reusable workflows allow centralized maintenance.
- B
Store the workflows in a central repository and use Git submodules to include them in each repository.
Why wrong: Git submodules are for code, not for workflows.
- C
Create a template repository containing the workflows and use it as a template for new repositories.
Template repositories allow copying workflows into new repos, but updates are not synced automatically.
- D
Use branch protection rules to enforce that all workflows must be reviewed by a central team.
Why wrong: Branch protection rules do not centralize workflow definitions.
- E
Publish the workflows as a GitHub Actions workflow library and install it in each repository.
Why wrong: There is no 'workflow library' feature in GitHub.
AZ-400 Practice Question: Design and implement a source control strategy
This AZ-400 practice question tests your understanding of design and implement a source control strategy. 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.
Your GitHub organization has multiple repositories that share common CI/CD workflows. You want to centralize these workflows to reduce duplication. Which TWO approaches are valid?
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
Create reusable workflows in a central repository and use the 'uses' keyword in each repository's workflow to reference them.
Option A is correct because GitHub Actions supports reusable workflows that can be stored in a central repository and referenced from other repositories using the 'uses' keyword with the syntax 'owner/repo/.github/workflows/workflow.yml@ref'. This allows teams to define common CI/CD logic once and invoke it across multiple repositories, reducing duplication and simplifying maintenance.
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 reusable workflows in a central repository and use the 'uses' keyword in each repository's workflow to reference them.
Why this is correct
Reusable workflows allow centralized maintenance.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Store the workflows in a central repository and use Git submodules to include them in each repository.
Why it's wrong here
Git submodules are for code, not for workflows.
- ✓
Create a template repository containing the workflows and use it as a template for new repositories.
Why this is correct
Template repositories allow copying workflows into new repos, but updates are not synced automatically.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use branch protection rules to enforce that all workflows must be reviewed by a central team.
Why it's wrong here
Branch protection rules do not centralize workflow definitions.
- ✗
Publish the workflows as a GitHub Actions workflow library and install it in each repository.
Why it's wrong here
There is no 'workflow library' feature in GitHub.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse Git submodules or template repositories as valid methods for sharing live, updatable workflows, when in fact only reusable workflows (Option A) and template repositories (Option C, for initial setup) are officially supported approaches for centralizing CI/CD workflows in GitHub Actions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Reusable workflows use the 'uses' keyword with a path to a workflow file in another repository, and they support passing inputs and secrets via the 'with' and 'secrets' keywords. Under the hood, GitHub fetches the referenced workflow file from the specified commit or branch, compiles it into the calling workflow's execution context, and runs it as a separate job. A subtle behavior is that reusable workflows cannot call other reusable workflows (no nesting), and they must be stored in the .github/workflows directory of the referenced repository.
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.
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
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-400 question test?
Design and implement a source control strategy — This question tests Design and implement a source control strategy — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create reusable workflows in a central repository and use the 'uses' keyword in each repository's workflow to reference them. — Option A is correct because GitHub Actions supports reusable workflows that can be stored in a central repository and referenced from other repositories using the 'uses' keyword with the syntax 'owner/repo/.github/workflows/workflow.yml@ref'. This allows teams to define common CI/CD logic once and invoke it across multiple repositories, reducing duplication and simplifying maintenance.
What should I do if I get this AZ-400 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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