A methodology is a philosophy, guide or blueprint which provides methods/principles for the field employing it. In the context of information systems, methodologies are strategies with strong focus on gathering information, planning, and design elements.

The belief is by applying standardised methods of working they can foresee problematic areas thus reducing defects, and giving the project a faster turn around. Methodologies in a software development environment excel, particularly when the project is large and has many team members working on it. In a team situation a methodology will provided a standardized way of achieving analytic and/or development tasks. Development external to the project can then also easily be picked up, identified and even continued if they adopt and know the same methods been used. In most situations, applying a methodologies will allow project coordinators to allocate different components of a project or system to different areas of expertise, even without those team members having any communication with each other!

Popular methodologies used in the IT sector will apply cycles or stages for parts of the project. Applying a system of structure is known as a life cycle model.

Some of the most common models are:

• spiral model
• waterfall model
• throwaway prototyping model
• reusable software model
• evolutionary prototyping model
• Life Cycle Models

Software methodologies mainly use life cycle models as structure, showing each stage or segment of the development process.

One of the first documented examples of a life cycle model was the 'Waterfall Model' (Royce 1970) produce to help with the complex stages in development of aerospace products.

Since the waterfall was model produced, many more have been created to help with different aspects of planning and risk assessment (Spiral Model, 1985).

Some models are greatly generalise, it is possible (maybe necessary in most projects) to mix and match elements of these different models to meet the requirements of a project specification.

Some of life cycle models are more adapt than others, one of the common known models for adaptation in the Spiral Model. The Spiral Model has a wide scope, originally derived from the Waterfall Model with added risk analysis, prototyping, it's a popular model to mix and match to meet development needs.