Waiting_Line_Analysis

Waiting Line Analysis How is use Queuing and Waiting Line Analysis' BUSN 603 B003 Win 11 Student Sean M Burns Instructor: Mary Dereshiwsky Abstract Queuing or waiting line analysis is a method for providing managers with the information needed to make decision about how efficiently there operations are performing. I present two examples of how waiting line analysis can be used in daily operations. How is use Queuing and Waiting Line Analysis' Queuing or waiting line analysis is as old as commerce itself. How to maximize return on investment while minimizing the amount of time it takes to earn money is a simple definition for waiting line analysis' On the website (Wikipedia) we find a more formal description on waiting line analysis, “The theory enables mathematical analysis of several related processes, including arriving at the (back of the) queue, waiting in the queue (essentially a storage process), and being served at the front of the queue. The theory permits the derivation and calculation of several performance measures including the average waiting time in the queue or the system, the expected number waiting or receiving service, and the probability of encountering the system in certain states, such as empty, full, having an available server or having to wait a certain time to be served. Queuing theory has applications in diverse fields, including telecommunications, traffic engineering, computing and the design of factories, shops, offices and hospitals,” (www.wikipedia.com). The statement, “Time is Money” describes the purpose of waiting analysis in everyday language. Waiting line analysis can be used as a tool that will allow management to gather the effectiveness of their services operations. We conduct waiting time analysis because studies have found the customers if given the choice will seek out services and make purchases and vendors that are able to satisfy their needs in the shortest amount of time. In my paper I will discuss some of the uses of waiting line analysis and how they are beneficial to production and service oriented businesses. One of the uses for waiting line analysis is in the area of doctor’s offices. Most private doctors schedule more patients than they can see in a day and they also schedule multiple patients for the same time. This leads to long waiting lines and discourages people from returning to the doctor’s office in the future. A doctor that wants to increase the number of patients that he can service and increase his income can use waiting analysis to develop a strategy that would allow him to maximize the use of his time and only schedule the most optimum number of appoints. This problem illustrates one of the uses for waiting analysis; due to the possibility that emergencies might occur and the high occurrence of cancelations studies have shown that over booking is the best method for a doctor to use in order to maximize his profits. A better example of waiting line analysis in action is illustrated by fast-food restaurants because of the way that they conduct their business. This model clearly demonstrates the first-in-first-out (FIFO) theory. Waiting lines occur at a fast-food restaurant drive-through during periods of the day in which there is a high demand for their products, usually during breakfast, lunch or dinner time. Due to the increased number of patrons, there is a temporary higher demand that cannot be quickly handled with the available capacity. To meet this higher demand, some restaurants use an extra window the first window for paying and the second window for picking up the food. During none high demand periods, restaurants use a single window and may have no waiting line at the drive-through window. In conclusion, the purpose of waiting line analysis is a great tool that managers can use to find ways to become more efficient, provide services and produce products, and maximize the amount of profit that can be earned in the shortest period of time. In today’s environment in which everyone wants what they want as quickly as possible finding ways to meet these demands will always continue to be scrutinized and revamped based on the results of waiting line analysis. Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queueing_theory.