Using Discrete Event Simulation as a Supplemental Teaching Aid for Analyzing Staff Scheduling

Abstract

This study utilized discrete event simulation (DES) to optimize staff scheduling within the housekeeping department for hotel operations during high occupancy conditions which can be used as a supplemental teaching aid for hospitality management teaching programs. A high occupancy level requires employees in the housekeeping department to perform efficiently in order to reduce the amount of time guests wait for a clean room. Literature review showed that DES has been used to optimize various types of schedules. This study was unique in that it incorporated computer modeling into the staffing portion of lodging establishments; an area in which there is a limited amount of research. Data was collected from historical records and through actual observations of the system. A computerized model of the hotel’s operational flow system was constructed using Arena v. 13 to determine an optimal staff schedule which would decrease guest waiting time and minimize payroll costs in the housekeeping department. The results indicated that an efficient staffing schedule based on the computer model will result in reduced costs. This finding indicates that it could be used as a valid add-on device for hospitality manager teaching programs in order to aid in the forecasting and optimization of employee schedules.