Which stage precedes Graduated in the CNCF project maturity lifecycle?

Which stage precedes Graduated in the CNCF project maturity lifecycle?

• A. Sandbox
• B. Incubated
• C. Graduated
• D. Active

Answer: (B)

CNCF projects move through a progressive maturity ladder: Sandbox for early experiments, then Incubating as the project becomes more established with governance and broader adoption, and finally Graduated when it meets sustained criteria for long-term maintenance and reliability. The stage immediately before Graduated is Incubating, so the option that matches this position is the one labeled Incubated. Sandbox represents an earlier, exploratory phase, and Active is not used as a formal maturity stage in this ladder.

CNCF projects move through a progressive maturity ladder: Sandbox for early experiments, then Incubating as the project becomes more established with governance and broader adoption, and finally Graduated when it meets sustained criteria for long-term maintenance and reliability. The stage immediately before Graduated is Incubating, so the option that matches this position is the one labeled Incubated. Sandbox represents an earlier, exploratory phase, and Active is not used as a formal maturity stage in this ladder.