When investigating an intermittent cloud application issue, after forming a theory of the cause, what is the next step?

• A. Escalate
• B. Document Issue
• C. Confirm Root Cause
• D. Test the Theory

Answer: (D)

When investigating an intermittent cloud application issue, the next step after forming a theory is to validate it with evidence. This means designing and performing tests or experiments to see if the observed symptoms align with the proposed cause. Reproduce the issue under controlled conditions, review relevant logs and telemetry from the time window in question, and, if appropriate, apply a potential fix in a test environment to observe whether the behavior changes as the theory predicts. The goal is to move from guesswork to data-driven confirmation. If the testing supports the theory, you can proceed with remediation and documentation; if not, you refine the hypothesis and test again. Escalation or documentation are important but come after you’ve attempted to confirm the theory through testing.