If you are a business practitioner or business student and want to expandyour knowledge of waiting line (queuing) analysis and how it can be usedto make decisions and improve both service and manufacturing businesssituations, this book is for you. Inside, you’ll learn about caveats when applyingwaiting line theory and how to be aware of the assumptions usedin developing that theory.Accounting for variability in waiting line processes is important becausethe basic queuing equations provide only average performance data understeady-state conditions. Understanding how much variability can exist fora given waiting line scenario can provide you with the insight required toreduce these effects and develop innovative solutions for improving servicewhile reducing operating costs.In general the mathematical tone of the book is focused on the application,not the derivation, of the formulas presented. The few derivation exceptionsare done to illustrate some approaches not commonly discussedin textbooks (e.g., the use of state diagrams and random number approximationsof the probability distributions for use in simple simulation models).To aid in understanding the material presented, some practical examplesare given at appropriate points in the text and a few simulationapproaches using common spreadsheet software are described.