The answer is to create an Elastic Database Job with step scripts for each maintenance task, targeting all databases, and configure retry logic. This approach is correct because Elastic Database Jobs are purpose-built for automating database maintenance across multiple Azure SQL Databases, allowing you to run T-SQL scripts like DBCC CHECKDB, index rebuilds, and statistics updates with built-in retry and error handling that ensures resilience—if one database fails, the job continues processing the others. On the DP-300 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that SQL Agent is unavailable in Azure SQL Database, making Elastic Database Jobs the only native scheduler for multi-database maintenance; a common trap is choosing Azure Automation or Data Factory, which lack the granular T-SQL execution and centralized logging needed for nightly integrity checks. Remember the memory tip: “Jobs for Jobs”—Elastic Database Jobs handle the job of automated maintenance across databases, while SQL Agent is for on-premises only.
DP-300 Configure and manage automation of tasks Practice Question
This DP-300 practice question tests your understanding of configure and manage automation of tasks. 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.
You are the database administrator for a large e-commerce company that uses Azure SQL Database for its transactional systems. The environment consists of 100 databases spread across 10 elastic pools in different regions. You need to implement an automated solution to perform the following tasks every night: (1) Run integrity checks (DBCC CHECKDB) on all databases, (2) Rebuild indexes with fragmentation > 30%, (3) Update statistics with full scan for databases that have had significant data changes (>20% of rows). The solution must minimize manual intervention, provide centralized logging, and be resilient to failures (e.g., if one database fails, the others should continue). Which approach should you use?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create an Elastic Database Job with step scripts for each maintenance task, targeting all databases, and configure retry logic.
Option B is correct because Elastic Database Jobs can run T-SQL scripts across multiple databases with built-in retry and error handling, and can be scheduled. Option A (SQL Agent) is not available on Azure SQL Database. Option C (Azure Automation) requires custom error handling. Option D (Azure Data Factory) is not designed for database maintenance tasks.
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 an Elastic Database Job with step scripts for each maintenance task, targeting all databases, and configure retry logic.
Why this is correct
Elastic Jobs are designed for multi-database maintenance with resilience.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Create a SQL Agent job on each server to run a maintenance script.
Why it's wrong here
SQL Agent is not available in Azure SQL Database.
✗
Use Azure Data Factory pipelines with a ForEach activity to execute stored procedures.
Why it's wrong here
Data Factory is for data movement, not database maintenance.
✗
Use Azure Automation runbooks with Invoke-SqlCmd to loop through each database.
Why it's wrong here
Less resilient and requires manual error handling.
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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this DP-300 question in full detail.
Identify which DP-300 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.
Configure and manage automation of tasks — This question tests Configure and manage automation of tasks — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create an Elastic Database Job with step scripts for each maintenance task, targeting all databases, and configure retry logic. — Option B is correct because Elastic Database Jobs can run T-SQL scripts across multiple databases with built-in retry and error handling, and can be scheduled. Option A (SQL Agent) is not available on Azure SQL Database. Option C (Azure Automation) requires custom error handling. Option D (Azure Data Factory) is not designed for database maintenance tasks.
What should I do if I get this DP-300 question wrong?
Identify which DP-300 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: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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