Operations Management Case Study

Harish Automobile Repair Shop: A Case of Queuing Theory

OR

Abstract:
Harish Automobile Repair Shop, located in one of the busiest locations in Hyderabad (India), is into repairing different types of automobiles like cars, bikes, auto rickshaws and vans. Harish, the owner of the repair shop, hires his mechanics based on few criteria like sound technical knowledge, physical fitness and positive attitude towards work. A mechanic in the shop, Ravi, takes more than the required time to complete his job. Harish is in a dilemma whether to continue with Ravi or replenish him with Rama, a mechanic who is known to be more productive and high-priced when compared to Ravi. Meanwhile, Harish had plans of opening a second garage wherein he wanted Ravi to work along with another new mechanic Raja who works at the same rate as Ravi does. In the first two cases, he uses a single-channel queuing system and in the third case, he uses a multi-channel queuing system to calculate the total daily costs. The case study primarily deals with the dilemmas Harish faces in expanding his workshop.

Pedagogical Objectives:

• To understand the basics of Waiting Lines and Queuing Theory
• To understand Minimal-Spanning Tree Technique
• To understand Maximal-Flow Technique
• To understand Shortest-Route Technique.

Keywords : Network Models, Waiting Lines, Queing Theory, Minimal Spaming Tree Technique, Maximum Flow Technique, Shortest-Route Technique Course Case Mapping

Contents:

• Introduction
• Suggested Questions for Discussion