Queueing model
Overview
 
In queueing theory
Queueing theory
Queueing theory is the mathematical study of waiting lines, or queues. The theory enables mathematical analysis of several related processes, including arriving at the queue, waiting in the queue , and being served at the front of the queue...

, a queueing model is used to approximate a real queueing situation or system, so the queueing behaviour can be analysed mathematically. Queueing models allow a number of useful steady state
Steady state
A system in a steady state has numerous properties that are unchanging in time. This implies that for any property p of the system, the partial derivative with respect to time is zero:...

 performance measures to be determined, including:
  • the average number in the queue, or the system,
  • the average time spent in the queue, or the system,
  • the statistical distribution of those numbers or times,
  • the probability the queue is full, or empty, and
  • the probability of finding the system in a particular state.


These performance measures are important as issues or problems caused by queueing situations are often related to customer dissatisfaction with service or may be the root cause of economic losses in a business.
 
x
OK