What is encouraged through change avoidance in software processes?

Change avoidance in software processes refers to strategies that minimize the need for changes during the development of software. By focusing on low-cost change adaptation, teams can effectively manage changes when they do occur. This approach promotes the idea of designing software in a way that can smoothly incorporate modifications without significant effort or expense.

When software processes encourage low-cost change adaptation, it allows for flexibility and responsiveness in the development cycle. This is vital, as requirements often evolve based on user feedback or changes in the business environment. Therefore, having a foundation that enables easy adjustments can lead to better alignment with user needs and market demands.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the principles of change avoidance. Frequent updates of system software (the first choice) imply ongoing modifications, which can increase complexity and costs. Delivering software without user feedback (the third choice) risks building products that do not meet user needs, while deferring critical feature implementation (the fourth choice) can lead to missed opportunities and customer dissatisfaction. All of these options suggest a lack of adaptability and responsiveness, which is the opposite of what low-cost change adaptation aims to achieve.