Two-phase inspection model 2026-10-31
A two-phase inspection model alternates between inspecting every item and inspecting each item with probability , where . Suppose item defects are independent with probability . The first phase ends after good items have been accumulated, while the second ends upon detecting a defect. With state equal to the cumulative number of good items found during the current full-inspection phase, the Markov chain has transitions , , , .
Its stationary distribution is for and . Indeed, balance gives equal mass to every phase-A state and ; normalization fixes the common mass. The finite chain is irreducible and aperiodic, so the Markov chain ergodic theorem identifies these probabilities with long-run occupation fractions. The long-run inspected fraction is . The fraction of all production consisting of undetected defective items is .
An important modeling choice is whether defects during full inspection preserve accumulated good items or reset the count. Resetting produces the distinct consecutive-clearance inspection model and changes the long-run fractions.