Discussion Question

300 words Minimum

The number 4 challenge on a list of ten, as reported by DC Velocity (http://www.dcvelocity.com/), is “The nation's deteriorating infrastructure”.

Lynch, Clifford. (2010). Top ten logistics challenges for 2011 (and beyond). Retrieved from http://www.dcvelocity.com/articles/2010121310_logistics_challenges_in_2011/

Queuing Theory. (n.d.). Encyclopedia of Business, 2^nd Ed.; Reference for Business, retrieved from: http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/encyclopedia/Pro-Res/Queuing-Theory.html

In your readings on system dynamics, you have seen that in a system, different entities flow into and accumulate in stocks and then flow out, sometimes into another stock. This is similar to items in a queue or waiting line. But there are some aspects that are different from queues when comparing to system dynamics. For example, water cannot be analyzed using queuing theory, since you would have to track each molecule as you would track a person in a waiting line. Identify how queues are different than items flowing into and out of stocks as characterized by system dynamics.    

Provide two specific examples of items flowing through a general system of stocks and two specific examples of items flowing into and out of a queue or waiting line. Discuss these examples, how they are similar and different