State-of-the-art Survey Open Queueing Networks: Optimization and Performance Evaluation Models for Discrete Manufacturing Systems *

In this survey we review methods to analyze open queueing network models for discrete manufacturing systems. We focus on design and planning models for job shops. The survey is divided in two parts: in the first we review exact and approximate decomposition methods for performance evaluation models for single and multiple product class networks. The second part reviews optimization models of three categories of problems: the first minimizes capital investment subject to attaining a performance measure (WIP or lead time), the second seeks to optimize the performance measure subject to resource constraints, and the third explores recent research developments in complexity reduction through shop redesign and products partitioning. (OPEN QUEUEING NETWORKS; OPTIMIZATION AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION; DECOMPOSITION METHODS: DISCRETE MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS: JOB-SHOP DESIGN)