Barnacle Cleaners Case Study

BOSTON UNIVERSITY

METROPOLITAN COLLEGE

DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENCES

AD 605 Operations Management

Barnacle Cleaners Case Study (Due March 26, 11:59 PM)

Study the case study document. Work with your team on the following questions. Important: For case study assignments, it is NOT a good idea to start by splitting the questions among the team members. Each team member should read the case and draft a response to every question. Then, the team should get together to perform the final analyses and then (perhaps) split the writing of the final report (which should be edited to ensure continuity).

Case Questions:

1. List up to six important assumption required to apply the M/M/s queueing model at Barnacle Cleaners for evaluating the two alternative presented in this analysis. For each assumption, write 1-2 sentences explaining why it is a valid assumption.

2. Calculate arrival rates and service rates for each timeframe, covering each alterative to be considered. Include Option 1 (common line), Option 2 (with alterations line and without alternations line).

3. Perform an analysis using the M/M/s queuing model by evaluating each of the two options, over the three time periods. Experiment with different numbers of servers and observe the balance of service costs (i.e., number of servers, required expertise, etc.) and customer service (i.e., waiting time, queue size, etc.). Turn in an Excel file with the analysis details (clearly labelled).

4. For each option (common line and segmented line), complete the following table showing your recommended number of servers for each time period. State the criteria you used to make these choices and justify your recommendations. Turn in an Excel file with the analysis details, for a few scenarios (not necessary all analyses, clearly labelled).

Servers Recommended by Waiting Line Analysis

Timeframe Option 1:

Common Line Option 2: Line

Without Alterations Option 2: Line

With Alterations

Weekday Daytime

Weekday Evening

Saturday

5. Based on the analysis of each option above, make an overall recommendation. Should Barnacle implement the first option (common all-purpose line) or the second option (two segmented lines). Be aware that it is not possible to reconfigure the layout between times, and it is not possible for the segmented lines to share service workers. Be prepared to have a team member present this result orally at the next classroom session.

Turn in both an Excel file (as described above) and your case study report (one Word file). The report should include a cover page (with course name, case study title, date, and team members). The Word file should be clearly organized so that Ron Ososkie will be able to follow your analyses and easily read all tables and figures. Do not require the reader to open the Excel file when reading the report.