Graphical Spreadsheet Simulation of Queues

Armann Ingolfsson - Armann.Ingolfsson@UAlberta.Ca
School of Business, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
T6G 2R6, Canada

Thomas A. Grossman, Jr. - grossman@UCalgary.ca
Faculty of Management, University of Calgary, 2500 University
Dr. NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4

Abstract

Graphical representations of spreadsheet queueing simulations can be used to teach students about queues and queueing processes. A customer graph shows the experience of every individual customer in a queue, based on arrival time, start of service, end of service, and showing clearly the length of time in queue and service time for each individual customer. The cumulative effect is powerful, illustrating how one long service time (or short interarrival time) can cause delays for many succeeding customers. The server graph (a Gantt chart) shows the experience of each server, illustrating how customers stack up, and the nature of periods of idle time. The graphs are linked to a spreadsheet simulation and update instantly when the simulation is replicated. The graphs illustrate the complete evolution of a queue (which simulation animations cannot do) and help provide a holistic view of queues. They can be used to teach students about the nature of queues and support active learning where the students articulate for themselves the cause of queue behaviors.

Download the PDF
10.1287/ited.2.2.27

Citation Information
Ingolfsson, A. 2002. Graphical Spreadsheet Simulation of Queues. INFORMS Trans. Ed. 2(2) 27-39. Available online at http://ite.pubs.informs.org/.

DOI: 10.1287/ited.2.2.27