AZ-400: Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions - Quick Reference Cheat Sheet

Purpose

Fast-reference guide with bullet-point takeaways for rapid exam prep.

This is NOT:

• ❌ A comprehensive study guide
• ❌ Detailed explanations
• ❌ Question walkthroughs

This IS:

• ✅ Key reminders (1-3 sentences each)
• ✅ Essential facts and limits
• ✅ Quick decision guides
• ✅ Domain-organized takeaways

How to Use

1. Pre-exam review - 30-60 minutes before exam
2. Quick refresh - Review specific domains as needed
3. Fill knowledge gaps - Focus on unfamiliar topics

Study Time

• Full review: 30-60 minutes
• Single domain: 5-10 minutes
• Critical topics: 10-15 minutes

Exam Details

• Questions: 40-60 questions
• Duration: 120 minutes
• Passing Score: 700/1000
• Format: Multiple choice, multiple select, scenario-based
• Latest Update: July 26, 2024

Domain Weight Distribution

1. Design and Implement Processes and Communications: 10-15% (12.5% avg)
2. Design and Implement a Source Control Strategy: 10-15% (12.5% avg)
3. Design and Implement Build and Release Pipelines: 50-55% (52.5% avg)
4. Develop a Security and Compliance Plan: 10-15% (12.5% avg)
5. Implement an Instrumentation Strategy: 5-10% (7.5% avg)

Quick Navigation

Workflows & Collaboration:

• See 03_domain1_processes_communications
• Topics: GitHub Flow, Azure Boards, work tracking, metrics, dashboards

Source Control:

• See 04_domain2_source_control
• Topics: Branching strategies, pull requests, repository management, Git operations

Pipelines & Deployments (Largest Domain):

• See 05_domain3_build_release_pipelines
• Topics: Package management, testing, Azure Pipelines, GitHub Actions, IaC, deployments

Security & Compliance:

• See 06_domain4_security_compliance
• Topics: Authentication, secrets management, Key Vault, security scanning

Monitoring & Observability:

• See 07_domain5_instrumentation
• Topics: Azure Monitor, Application Insights, KQL queries, telemetry

Study Priority

High Priority (Study First):

• Domain 3 (Build and Release Pipelines) - 52.5% of exam
• Pipeline design and YAML syntax
• Deployment strategies (blue-green, canary, feature flags)
• Infrastructure as Code (ARM, Bicep)

Medium Priority:

• All other domains (equal weight at ~12.5% each)
• Focus on service-specific features and when to use each

Review Before Exam:

• Critical topics (97_critical_topics)
• Question strategies (98_question_strategies)
• Final checklist (99_final_checklist)