Queuing
While we may have no experience in planning deliveries, ensuring proper logistics, or scheduling in a factory setting, most of us have stood in line at the store or waited for a table at a restaurant. Most chain establishments use queuing and scheduling techniques to ensure efficient customer service. Let’s use some simulations to see how professionals use data to make decisions.
SLP Assignment
Run the Waiting For a Table simulation at least six times.
- Run the sim at SLOW speed.
- Runs 1-3: Keep the tables and parties the same but adjust the “meal time.”
- Runs 4-6: Add another table, keep the parties the same and adjust “meal time” to the same as runs 1-3.
- Fill in the Table Below with the Values you used.
Run #TablesPartiesMeal time1Set a NumberSet a NumberOne Meal Time2Same Number as AboveSame Number as AboveA Different Meal Time3Same Number as AboveSame Number as AboveA Third Meal TimeIn these Runs, the only thing that will change is Adding One Table4Add one Table to aboveSet a NumberOne Meal Time5Same Number of TablesSame Number as AboveA Different Meal Time6Same Number of TablesSame Number as AboveA Third Meal Time
Introduction (2-3 sentences)
- Provide an insight garnered from the simulations that will pique your readers’ interest. NOTE: Introductions and conclusions may be written after the body of the paper is completed.
Sim Experience (1/2 page)
- Describe what happened when you changed wait times in Runs 1-3. Compare that to Wait Times in Runs 4-6 when one table was added.
Open M/M/1 Solver & Simulator and run the simulation at least 3 times, setting “Experiment duration” and “Maximum queue length” to 100. Use different values for Arrival and Service Rate. Click Compute Results and Run Simulation.
Solver & Simulator (1/2 page)
- Explain the rationale for changing values after running the first simulation.
- Screenshot the Basic Results and Other Simulation Results for each of the three runs and place them in an appendix.
Understanding Queuing (1 page)
- Research best practices for queuing in operations. (research required)
- Connect with simulation results. Assess how organizations are affected by queuing decisions. (research required)
The Consumer (1/2 page)
- Research consumer behavior and economic implications of simulation scenarios. (research required)
Conclusion (2-3 sentences)
- Wrap up the discussion of real-world implications of the simulations.
Appendices
Screenshot results of the simulations
- Restaurant Wait Time Simulation final page
- M/M/1 Solver & Simulator: Run #1
- M/M/1 Solver & Simulator: Run #2
- M/M/1 Solver & Simulator: Run #3
Effective academic and research writing requires a third-person voice. This SLP will be written in the third person. Do not use any quotations. Refer to yourself in the third person as “participant,” or you can write about what the “player” will do, rather than saying “I” and “we.” Since you are engaging in research, be sure to cite and reference the sources in APA format. NOTE: Failure to use research with accompanying citations to support content will result in reduced scoring “Level 2-Developing” for Assignment-Driven Criteria, Critical Thinking, and Assignment Organization and Quality of References on the grading rubric.
SLP Assignment Expectations
Use the attached APA-formatted template (OPM300 SLP3) to create your submission.
Your submission will include:
- Trident University International’s cover page
- The body of the paper: 2½ pages (2- to 3-sentence introduction, 2½-page body, and 2- to 3-sentence conclusion)
- Appendices (pages vary based on size of screenshots)
- The alphabetized reference list page in APA format
