Approximate performance modeling and decision making for manufacturing systems: A queueing network optimization framework

In this paper we discuss queueing network methodology as a framework to address issues that arise in the design and planning of discrete manufacturing systems. Our review focuses on three aspects: modeling of manufacturing facilities, performance evaluation and optimization with queueing networks. We describe both open and closed network models and present several examples from the literature illustrating applications of the methodology. We also provide a brief outline of outstanding research issues. The paper is directed towards the practitioner with operations research background and the operations management researcher with interest in this topic.