Yes, but the idea is that software changes as customer needs change. If not, then that is an out of date product, and by the time it would have become "mature" it would be out of fashion anyway. Good software is software that changes often, yet it maintains quality. Unlike in waterfall where it probably takes 2 years to release it, and by then it is already old. For "enterprise" software such as oracle or ibm products, that would not be a surprise, but for highly adaptable products, 2 months is the maximum something would not change.
In this case the article is talking about pretty expansive hardware projects, think GPS or a drone fleet and that software needs to be involved earlier with requirements and design instead of an afterthought.
That is quite different than the CRUD web application that most people are working with.
Even in "non expensive" (relative) HW projects. I've been doing mobile/embedded for a long time. Many experts, SW architects, HW architects are frequently consulted early & frequently throughout the process as no one can possibly have a complete picture. It's just impossible to do it any other way and ship things on time & meeting the quality bar.
Good point. I am coming from the web app point of view. I assumed the comment section was a bit more generic. Also i should have clarified what context i am referring to.