Queuing Theory, Process Capability and Six Sigma Essay

Queuing Theory, Process Capability and Six Sigma - Essay Example The patients visits are scheduled at 15-30 minute intervals so that when the patient arrives the person will not have to wait long for service. The doctors that I have gone too are not too accurate in their queuing assessment. They take too many patients per day which disrupts the queuing application. In the banking industry managers utilize service tickets as a method of queuing. Once a person arrives at the bank for service they pick up a number and wait to get called. A third queuing model that I have encounter in the private industry is the use of telephony technology to provide service. Virtual organizations such as EBay utilize these types of systems. 2. â€Å"Process capability entails comparing the performance of a process against its specifications† (Nist). The process is considered capable if the output of the process is within the expected parameters. A graphical statistical tool that can be used to determine process capability is a histogram. A histogram is outside process capability if there are outliers present. A few years ago I worked at a company dedicated to manufacturing remote control airplanes. The general manager set up a process capability layout for the product. The different parts of the airplane had to comply with specific size and weight protocols. At the end of the process a quality inspector would check if the parts complied with the process capability. ... One of the benefits of six sigma is that it allows managers to readily describe the performance of a process in terms of variability and to compare different processes using a common metric (Chase & Jacobs & Aquilano, 2006). Three additional advantages of six sigma are: It places a clear focus on achieving measurable and quantifiable financial returns to the bottom-line of an organization It utilizes the tools and techniques for fixing problems in business process in a sequential and disciplined manner It encourages the application of well-proven statistical tools and techniques for defect reduction through process variability reduction methods (Antony, 2008). Some of the challenges or cons of six sigma are: The challenge of having quality data available The right selection and prioritization of projects The application of six sigma is not viable for all types of businesses. (Antony) Antony, J. (2008). Pros and Cons of Six Sigma: An Academic Perspective. Retrieved January 27, 2011 fr om http://www.improvementandinnovation.com/features/articles/pros-and-cons-six-sigma-academic-perspective Antony, J. Some Pros and Cons of Six Sigma. Caledonian Business School Retrieved January 27, 2011 from http://www.qualityamerica.com/knowledgecente/articles/Antony_SomeProsandConsofSixSigma.pdf Chase, R., Jacobs,F., Aquilano, N. (2006). Operation Management for Competitive Advantage. 4. The utilization of queuing theory in your company seems to be working very well. I like the fact that in your company the managers have first hand contact with the customer while they are waiting in line. Customers feel like they are important when they are greeted by a member from the managerial staff of an enterprise. In your