---
type: claim
domain: internet-finance
description: "Optimal server provisioning follows R + β√R formula where R is base load and β controls service level"
confidence: proven
source: "Ward Whitt, What You Should Know About Queueing Models (2019)"
created: 2026-03-11
---

# Square-root staffing principle provisions servers as base load plus beta times square root of base load where beta is quality-of-service parameter

The square-root staffing rule provides optimal server provisioning: if base load requires R workers at full utilization, provision R + β√R workers where β ≈ 1-2 depending on target service level. This formula emerges from queueing theory analysis of multi-server systems and represents the sweet spot between over-provisioning (wasteful) and under-provisioning (queue explosion).

The principle applies across domains: call centers, compute pipelines, service systems. For Teleo pipeline scale (~8 sources/cycle, ~5 min service time), this gives concrete worker count guidance without requiring peak-load provisioning.

The underlying insight: variance in arrival and service times creates queueing delays even when average utilization is below 100%. The square-root safety margin handles this variance efficiently. The margin grows with system size but at a sublinear rate, creating economies of scale.

## Evidence

Ward Whitt's practitioner guide establishes this as the foundational staffing principle in operations research. The formula derives from the Halfin-Whitt heavy-traffic regime analysis, where systems operate near full utilization (approaching 1 at rate Θ(1/√n) as servers n grow) while keeping delays manageable.

Erlang C formula provides the computational implementation for determining β given target service levels (probability of delay, average wait time).

---

Relevant Notes:
- domains/internet-finance/_map

Topics:
- core/mechanisms/_map