Queuing Theory – relating it to everyday life

What is queuing theory?

Queuing theory is the mathematical study of queues or waiting lines. It uses data to predict things like how long a queue will get and how long people will wait, so a service can be run more smoothly.

Think about a busy service centre, like a Centrelink, that processes payments. In the past, you might have joined a line based on your payment type. This meant that people submitting a new claim form were in the same queue as those submitting fortnightly reporting forms. One took no longer than five minutes, while the other took substantially longer.

If you used queuing theory, you would abandon queues based on payment types and instead implement a queuing system based on the complexity of the service required:

• Simple tasks
• Intermediate tasks
• Complex tasks.

The result would be a much less crowded service centre. The quick jobs get handled quickly, rather than being held up by the complicated ones, and the whole system runs more smoothly.

Applying it to everyday life

These same principles can help in daily life. They give you a way to get some perspective and build momentum on the many tasks, issues and responsibilities we all face.

Rather than trying to tackle everything at once, break things down into the same three categories: simple, intermediate and complex.

That gives you a list of simple things you can get done relatively quickly. Each one builds momentum and a sense of achievement, which helps you take on the intermediate and complex tasks. Sometimes, finishing the simple tasks even makes the bigger ones easier.

Finding a starting point

Take relationship difficulties as an example. Problems can come from all sorts of things, including a lack of communication, feeling distant from each other, money worries, stress around parenting, pressure from others, or spending too much time on screens. Trying to fix all of it at once is overwhelming.

You need to find a starting point. A simple task could be to pay your partner a compliment or take a genuine interest in their day. You might help out around the house, read the kids a bedtime story, or plan an activity you both enjoy. Small things like these can improve communication, affection and parenting, which sit in the intermediate or complex category.

The bigger issues are still there. But if you can make improvements at the simple level, you’ve got a better chance of success when you take on the harder ones.

Something you can do today

Break down everything in your life that needs addressing into simple, intermediate, and complex categories. Remember that even some intermediate and complex issues can be helped along by completing simple tasks.

Think about one simple thing you could do today, something achievable. Then build on that momentum and start working out what you need to do to take on the intermediate and complex tasks.

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