Book excerpt: This is the first book to introduce senior level students of management science practicing managers to the modern powerful statistical methods that are available for optimizing and improving business processes. Using realistic case studies from businesses, this book explains the key statistical concepts workers in this field need to know. In particular, there is a focus on the use of probabilistic methods and statistical analysis in a business context and the value of these methods for managers. The mathematical explanations are comprehensive with an emphasis on the essential principles.