Widhelm and Lessing Revisited: An Alternative Markovian Model for Processing Systems with Imperfect Review

Abstract

An earlier model due to Widhelm and Lessing [10] is discussed briefly. Some criticisms are advanced, indicating that it does not represent adequately situations that may be found in industry. The model is shown to be a derivative of a more general “super model” which is unlikely to be workable in practice. A simpler alternative is developed. A verification exercise is reported for this latter alternative, based on data from a pharmaceutical organization, and some uses of the model are indicated, based on data from a company in the aerospace industry.