Training plan
Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure (AZ-204)
Module 1: Implement Azure App Service web apps
- Explore Azure App Service
- Configure web app settings
- Scale apps in Azure App Service
- Explore Azure App Service deployment slots
Module 2: Implement Azure Functions
- Explore Azure Functions
- Develop Azure Functions
Module 3: Develop solutions that use Blob storage
- Explore Azure Blob storage
- Manage the Azure Blob storage lifecycle
- Work with Azure Blob storage
Module 4: Develop solutions that use Azure Cosmos DB
- Explore Azure Cosmos DB
- Work with Azure Cosmos DB
Module 5: Implement containerized solutions
- Manage container images in Azure Container Registry
- Run container images in Azure Container Instances
- Implement Azure Container Apps
Module 6: Implement user authentication and authorization
- Explore the Microsoft identity platform
- Implement authentication by using the Microsoft Authentication Library
- Implement shared access signatures
- Explore Microsoft Graph
Module 7: Implement secure Azure solutions
- Implement Azure Key Vault
- Implement managed identities
- Implement Azure App Configuration
Module 8: Implement API Management
- Explore API Management
Module 9: Develop event-based solutions
- Explore Azure Event Grid
- Explore Azure Event Hubs
Module 10: Develop message-based solutions
- Discover Azure message queues
Module 11: Troubleshoot solutions by using Application Insights
- Monitor app performance
Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps solutions (AZ-400T00)
Module 1: Development for enterprise DevOps
- Introduction to DevOps
- Plan Agile with GitHub Projects and Azure Boards
- Design and implement branch strategies and workflows
- Collaborate with pull requests in Azure Repos
- Explore Git hooks
- Plan foster inner source
- Manage and configure repositories
- Identify technical debt
Module 2: Implement CI with Azure Pipelines and GitHub Actions
- Explore Azure Pipelines
- Manage Azure Pipeline agents and pools
- Describe pipelines and concurrency
- Design and implement a pipeline strategy
- Integrate with Azure Pipelines
- Introduction to GitHub Actions
- Learn continuous integration with GitHub Actions
- Design a container build strategy
Module 3: Design and implement a release strategy
- Create a release pipeline
- Explore release recommendations
- Provision and test environments
- Manage and modularize tasks and templates
- Automate inspection of health
Module 4: Implement a secure continuous deployment using Azure Pipelines
- Introduction to deployment patterns
- Implement blue-green deployment and feature toggles
- Implement canary releases and dark launching
- Implement A/B testing and progressive exposure deployment
- Integrate with identity management systems
- Manage application configuration data
Module 5: Manage infrastructure as code using Azure and DSC
- Explore infrastructure as code and configuration management
- Create Azure resources using Azure Resource Manager templates
- Create Azure resources using Azure CLI
- Explore Azure Automation with DevOps
- Implement Desired State Configuration (DSC)
- Implement Bicep
Module 6: Implement security and validate code bases for compliance
- Introduction to Secure DevOps
- Implement open-source software
- Software Composition Analysis
- Security Monitoring and Governance
Module 7: Design and implement a dependency management strategy
- Explore package dependencies
- Understand package management
- Migrate consolidate and secure artifacts
- Implement a versioning strategy
- Introduction to GitHub Packages
Module 8: Implement continuous feedback
- Implement tools to track usage and flow
- Develop monitor and status dashboards
- Share knowledge within teams
- Design processes to automate application analytics
- Manage alerts, blameless retrospectives and a just culture
Recommended prerequisite knowledge
- Students should have 1-2 years professional development experience and experience with Microsoft Azure. They must be able to program in an Azure Supported Language.
- Fundamental knowledge about Azure, version control, Agile software development, and core software development principles. It would be helpful to have experience in an organization that delivers software.
Credentials and certification
Exams features
- Codes: AZ-204 and AZ-400
- Titles: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure and Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions
- Duration: 120 minutes for AZ-204 and 150 minutes for AZ-400
- Number of Questions: 40 to 60
- Question Format: Multiple choice, multiple response, scenario-based
- Passing Score: 700 out of 1000
- Cost: $0 (included in your training)
Exams topics
- Develop Azure compute solutions
- Develop for Azure storage
- Implement Azure security
- Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize Azure solutions
- Connect to and consume Azure services and third-party services
- Configure processes and communications
- Design and implement source control
- Design and implement build and release pipelines
- Develop a security and compliance plan
- Implement an instrumentation strategy
Flexible Certification Pathway Options
Multiple Routes to Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert Certification
The Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert certification offers flexible pathways to accommodate different professional backgrounds and expertise areas. While our recommended path combines AZ-204 (Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure) with AZ-400 (Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions), you have an alternative foundation option.
Choose Your Foundation Certification
-
Option 1: AZ-204 (recommended path)
-
Option 2: AZ-104
- Focus on developing cloud-native applications and solutions
- Ideal for developers building applications on Microsoft Azure
- Comprehensive coverage of Azure services, storage, security, and monitoring
- Perfect for IT professionals with infrastructure management experience
- Covers Azure administration, resource management, and governance
- Strong foundation for professionals transitioning from operations to DevOps
- Explore AZ-104 Azure Administrator certification training
Your Existing Certification Counts
Already certified? If you hold either the AZ-204 (Azure Developer Associate) or AZ-104 (Azure Administrator Associate) certification, you can proceed directly to AZ-400 (Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions) to achieve your Expert-level credential. This flexible approach recognizes your existing expertise while building upon your specialized knowledge.
Complete Expert Certification
Regardless of your chosen foundation, completing AZ-400 (Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions) will earn you the prestigious Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert certification, validating your comprehensive skills in DevOps practices, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD), and Azure infrastructure management.
Ready to advance your career? Contact us to discuss which pathway aligns best with your professional goals and current expertise.
Eccentrix Corner article/publication
Azure DevOps Engineer Training
The Azure DevOps Engineer training bundle combines two key courses to provide participants with a comprehensive skill set in development and DevOps practices. The bundle includes AZ-204: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure and AZ-400: Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions, offering an in-depth understanding of building, deploying, and managing modern cloud applications with continuous integration and delivery pipelines.
This training is ideal for developers and IT professionals aiming to achieve the DevOps Engineer Expert certification and excel in cloud-native application development and deployment practices.
Why Choose the DevOps Engineer Expert Training Bundle?
DevOps practices are essential for delivering high-quality applications efficiently and consistently. This bundle equips participants with skills to streamline development workflows, optimize infrastructure, and ensure seamless deployment in Azure environments. By earning the DevOps Engineer Expert certification, you demonstrate your ability to create scalable solutions and manage development pipelines effectively.
This training combines hands-on Azure development with advanced DevOps methodologies, preparing you for the AZ-204 and AZ-400 certification exams and real-world challenges.
Key Skills Developed in the Training
Develop cloud-based applications
Learn to design and implement Azure-based solutions, including app services, serverless functions, and containerized workloads.Optimize and automate development processes
Gain expertise in implementing CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps tools, automating testing, and managing code repositories.Implement DevOps practices
Understand the principles of DevOps culture and apply them to streamline collaboration, deployment, and monitoring processes.Configure and secure Azure environments
Master best practices for managing Azure resources, securing applications, and integrating identity and access management.Monitor and improve performance
Use Azure Monitor, Application Insights, and other tools to track application performance and resolve issues proactively.Design scalable and resilient architectures
Learn to create solutions that meet enterprise requirements for scalability, availability, and disaster recovery.
Comprehensive, Instructor-Led Training
This training bundle is delivered by Microsoft-certified experts who provide real-world scenarios and practical exercises. Participants benefit from live interactions, hands-on labs, and detailed guidance, ensuring they are well-prepared for certification exams and workplace applications.
Who Should Attend?
This training is ideal for:
- Developers transitioning to DevOps roles
- IT professionals seeking expertise in continuous integration and deployment
- Azure administrators looking to expand their knowledge in cloud-native application development
- Organizations aiming to implement DevOps best practices in Azure environments
Elevate Your Skills with Comprehensive DevOps Training
The Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-204 + AZ-400) training bundle equips you with the skills to develop and deploy cloud-native applications efficiently. Enroll today to achieve your certification and advance your career in DevOps.
AZ-400 Exam Success Strategies
Mastering the AZ-400 certification is the final step toward achieving the DevOps Engineer Expert credential. Strategic preparation, effective time management, and optimal mental performance are equally crucial for success.
AZ-400 Exam Statistics & Success Rates
- Average Pass Rate: 55-60% on first attempt (Microsoft Expert level average)
- Most Common Score Range: 710-760 for passing candidates
- Average Study Time: 8-10 weeks for experienced DevOps engineers
- Retake Rate: 35-40% of candidates require a second attempt
- Top Failure Areas: Implement and manage build infrastructure (41%), Design and implement a release strategy (38%), Develop a security and compliance plan (36%)
Study Method Comparison
| Study Approach | Duration | Pass rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Hands-on Practice Only |
6-7 weeks |
40-50% |
Experienced DevOps engineers |
|
Documentation + Practice |
8-9 weeks |
60-65% |
Methodical learners |
|
Training + Labs + Practice |
8-10 weeks |
75-80% |
Comprehensive preparation |
|
Practice Tests Only |
3-4 weeks |
30-40% |
Not recommended |
Strategic Study Approach
- Create an 8-10 week study timeline – Expert-level certifications require substantial preparation time
- Follow the 70-20-10 rule – 70% hands-on practice with Azure DevOps, GitHub, and CI/CD pipelines, 20% reading documentation, 10% practice tests
- Focus on scenario-based learning – AZ-400 emphasizes real-world DevOps implementation over memorization
- Study in 90-minute focused blocks with 15-minute breaks to maximize retention
Common Exam Pitfalls to Avoid
- Don’t confuse Azure DevOps vs. GitHub – understand when to use Azure Repos vs. GitHub, Azure Pipelines vs. GitHub Actions
- CI/CD pipeline stages – know the differences between build, release, deployment, and approval stages
- Source control strategies – distinguish between Git flow, GitHub flow, trunk-based development, and feature branches
- Testing types and placement – understand unit tests, integration tests, load tests, and when to run each in the pipeline
- Security scanning tools – know when to use dependency scanning, container scanning, static code analysis, and secret scanning
- Deployment strategies – distinguish between blue-green, canary, rolling, and feature flags
Topic Weight Distribution
| Exam Domain | Weight | Focus Areas | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Develop an Instrumentation Strategy |
5-10% |
Logging, monitoring, telemetry, Application Insights |
Medium |
|
Develop a Site Reliability Engineering Strategy |
5-10% |
Incident response, blameless postmortems, chaos engineering |
Medium |
|
Develop a Security and Compliance Plan |
10-15% |
Secure DevOps, secrets management, compliance automation |
High |
|
Manage Source Control |
10-15% |
Git strategies, branch policies, code reviews |
High |
|
Facilitate Communication and Collaboration |
10-15% |
Work item tracking, dashboards, team collaboration |
High |
|
Define and Implement Continuous Integration |
20-25% |
Build pipelines, package management, code quality |
Critical |
|
Define and Implement Continuous Delivery |
10-15% |
Release pipelines, deployment patterns, infrastructure as code |
High |
Exam Day Time Management
- Allocate 2 minutes per question on average – expert exams have more complex scenarios
- Read case studies completely first before attempting related questions
- Flag uncertain questions and return to them – don’t get stuck on difficult pipeline configurations
- Reserve 20 minutes at the end for reviewing flagged questions and checking answers
Managing Exam Stress & Performance
- Get 7-8 hours of quality sleep the night before – avoid last-minute cramming
- Arrive 30 minutes early to settle in and complete check-in procedures calmly
- Use deep breathing techniques if you feel overwhelmed during the exam
- Trust your DevOps experience – your first instinct is usually correct on implementation questions
Technical Preparation Tips
- Practice building complete CI/CD pipelines – work through end-to-end scenarios from source control to production deployment
- Master Azure Pipelines YAML syntax – understand triggers, stages, jobs, steps, variables, and templates
- Understand GitHub Actions workflows – know how to configure workflows, actions, and secrets
- Review infrastructure as code – practice with ARM templates, Bicep, and Terraform for Azure deployments
Final Week Preparation
- Take 2-3 practice exams to identify knowledge gaps and build confidence
- Review Microsoft’s official exam objectives one final time
- Avoid learning new concepts – focus on reinforcing DevOps patterns you already know
- Prepare your exam day logistics – route to test center, required identification, arrival time
Mental Preparation Strategies
- Visualize success scenarios – imagine yourself confidently configuring pipelines and deployments
- Remind yourself of your DevOps experience – you’ve likely implemented CI/CD pipelines before
- Stay positive during difficult questions – every candidate faces challenging DevOps scenarios
- Remember that 700/1000 passes – you don’t need perfection, just solid DevOps implementation skills
How to Schedule Your AZ-400 Exam
- Official Testing Provider: Pearson VUE is Microsoft’s authorized testing partner for AZ-400
- Scheduling Process: Create a Pearson VUE account, search for “AZ-400”, select your preferred test center and date
- Exam Cost: Included with your Eccentrix training – exam voucher provided for this expert-level certification
- Scheduling Timeline: Book at least 2-3 weeks in advance for better time slot availability
- Rescheduling Policy: Free rescheduling up to 24 hours before your exam appointment
- Required ID: Government-issued photo ID (passport, driver’s license) matching your registration name exactly
Success Mindset: Approach AZ-400 as a validation of your existing DevOps engineering and CI/CD implementation skills rather than a test of memorized facts. Your practical experience with Azure DevOps, GitHub, pipeline automation, and deployment strategies is your greatest asset. Passing AZ-400 completes your journey to the DevOps Engineer Expert certification.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Microsoft AZ-204 + AZ-400 bundle training (FAQ)
What topics are covered in this training bundle?
The bundle covers Azure application development, DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure as code, and Azure monitoring tools.
Who is this training designed for?
This course is intended for developers, IT professionals, and Azure administrators looking to enhance their DevOps expertise.
What are the prerequisites for this course?
Participants should have experience with Azure fundamentals, programming languages such as C# or Python, and a basic understanding of DevOps principles.
How does this training prepare for the AZ-204 and AZ-400 exams?
Each course aligns with the objectives of its respective exam, providing both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience to ensure success.
What tools and technologies are used during this training?
You will work with Azure DevOps, GitHub, Azure CLI, PowerShell, and other development and deployment tools.
What are the benefits of earning the DevOps Engineer Expert certification?
This certification validates your expertise in DevOps practices, application development, and cloud deployment, enhancing your career opportunities in DevOps roles.
