A temp work service maintains an "inventory" of 200 computer specialists who are assigned to various customers on a short term basis. The typical tour of duty lasts for 7 weeks, and the period between assignments typically lasts for 3 weeks. Assume 50 weeks per year.
a. On average, how many specialists start on a new assignment each week?
b. On average, how many specialists are idle (between assignments)?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer is a. The flow time of entire process is 3+7 = 10 weeks
Inventory is 200
Therefore R= I/t = 200/10 = 20 per week
b. The flow time of "idle" is 3 weeks
The throughput is 20 per week
Therefore I=R*T= 20*3 = 60
Alternative way % of idle time 3/10= 30%. Thus 30% of staff will be idle on average, ( 30% of 200 = 60)

A Temp Work Service Maintains an "Inventory" of 200 Computer