This paper presents the design and optimization of a reconfigurable reflectarray operating in the Ku-band. The proposed topology for the unit cell is based on a square patch driven by two parallel PIN-diodes. It was designed for wideband operation, compact size, and flexibility, allowing for a wide range of beam scanning techniques implementations, including convex optimization, stochastic and evolutionary algorithms. In order to optimize the sidelobe levels, two algorithms were investigated namely, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and convex optimization (CVO), which were implemented in order to generate an optimum phase distribution and the results obtained showed that both algorithms were capable of reducing side lobes level. PSO achieved 6.2 dB reduction, for a 30◦ steered pencil beam.