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This paper develops control charts for monitoring the service times at the different stages of a congested system that provides a multi-stage service to its customers. A simulation-based optimization procedure is used to simulate the whole service process and determine the chart parameters that minimize the average time a customer spends in the system. Statistical constraints are also considered to enhance the statistical properties of the control chart. The proposed socio-statistical method may be of interest for a variety of applications. The method is applied to a fast food restaurant with two waiting stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The proposed method integrates design and EOL decisions for a family of products. • A multi-objective simulation-based optimization model is developed. • Economical, environmental and social aspects are considered. • The method can be used by producers to meet Individual Producer Responsibility. • Circular-economy polices can also be assessed using the method. Abstract This paper integrates two decision problems, namely, the design alternative selection and EOL option determination, for a family of products based on individual producer responsibility in the entire life cycle considering possible uncertainties. To address three pillars of sustainability (economic, environmental, and social), three objectives are considered: the maximization of the producer's profit, the minimization of the environmental impact, and the maximization of the social impact. Two constraints to control recovery and recycling rates are considered, which are usually imposed by legislative directives. A simulation-optimization model is developed to formulate and solve the model. An example based on a real-world case is provided to illustrate the application of the model. The proposed model is a useful tool for producers to evaluate the EOL performance of their products and to analyze the effect of EPR goals or regulations on their profitability, and for policy makers to predict the response of producers to a given package of circular-economy strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]