Waiting lines and simulation

10 important questions on Waiting lines and simulation

Define throughput time (flow time)

The time it takes for a unit to go through the system
• Note: It includes processing, waiting, setup time, etc.

What's throughput rate and how do you measure it? What's the relation with Little's law?

The output a process is expected to produce over a period of time (sec, min, hr)

Why is understanding and managing queues an important area in OSCM?

• in creating schedules
• in job/service/factory design
• providing access to the internet
• a “fast-pass” at a theme park
• Waiting lines are pervasive
• Problems can be analyzed by queuing models
  • Higher grades + faster learning
  • Never study anything twice
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Discover Study Smart

The central problem in virtually every queuing problem is a trade - off decision. Which trade - off?

• Managers must weigh the added cost of more rapid service against the inherent cost of waiting
• However, identifying the trade-off by experimenting with actual waiting lines is difficult.

What are the components of a queuing system?

- input source
- balking
- waiting line
- reneging
- service facility
- served customers

What types of line structures and phases are there?

• Single Server
• Multi-Server
• Single Phase
• Multi-Phase

Explain what a service rate is.

• Waiting line formulas require an service rate (μ)
• The number of service completions per unit of time
• The time the customer spends with the server, once the service has started
• Service rate is the capacity of the server

Which type of line models are there?

These models share the following characteristics:
• FCFS
• Single phase
• Poisson / exponential distribution, i.e. Random arrivals
• Unlimited queue length arrivals

How do you measure Multi-phase systems?

• Multi-phase models are too complex to analyze mathematically.
• We can use simulation for this purpose

What is a simulation?

• Simply stated: in a computer model you make a representation of the problem at hand
• You use building blocks and specify the characteristics
• The computer runs a predetermined period and collects statistics
• You interpret the statistics

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

  • A unique study and practice tool
  • Never study anything twice again
  • Get the grades you hope for
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Remember faster, study better. Scientifically proven.
Trustpilot Logo