Software methodologies have evolved over the last 50 years and this document discusses the various methodologies and their use for process control of software projects. This comparison will cover the names of the different types and the major functional changes that took place from one type to the next and why they were developed. The strengths and weaknesses associated with each type of methodology. Why use one form of methodology over another and under what circumstances. The different phases and characteristics of each methodology compared to the others and the evolution of thinking surrounding these conceptual changes and the need for faster implementation which has led to new versions of agile development solutions. Then we will discuss some processes used with and instead of the main methodologies and hybrids that have evolved specifically since the 1990s, when agile took off, and we will talk about what are currently the standards of companies providing software development such as ISO and CMMI.Keywords : Waterfall, Spiral, Agile, Scrum. Software development methodologies, software development, project phases, initiation, scope, planning, execution, control and monitoring, closure, transition, maintenance phase. Numerous software methodologies have been introduced to the world to promote standards for system and software development over the past 50 years. The SDLC or systems development life cycle was introduced in the 1960s to define a deliberate and structured way or method to produce quality products within a rigid timeline in a sequential process. Over the past fifty years these methodologies have evolved into more than twenty different disciplines or methods to get from point to, the conception or idea to solve a... middle of paper... Retrieved September 18, 2011, from http ://www.balagan.org.uk/work/agile_comparison.htmGeoffrey Elliott, Markus Rerych, Barry W. Boehm, Richard H. Thayer, Georges Gauthier Merx, Ronald J. Norman, Edward J. Barkmeyer, et al. . (2011, July 25). Software development methodology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Software development methodology. Retrieved September 18, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_development_methodologiesKuhl, J. (2002). Project life cycle models: how they differ and when to use them. Project life cycle models: how they differ and when to use them. Retrieved September 16, 2011, from http://www.business-esolutions.com/islm.htmSatalkar, B. (2011, August 26). Comparison between the waterfall model and the spiral model. Retrieved September 7, 2011, from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/comparison-between-waterfall-model-and-spiral-model.html