Assignment 2A - Bug List

The following are 20 examples of unmet needs in my life (aka things that bug me!)

1. Unsecured credit card payment at the gas pump, therefore I have to spend more time going inside to pay cash.
• WHY DOES IT EXIST? Criminals are coming up with ways to steal credit card information faster than companies can come up with ways to secure their devices.
2. My socks (many different brands) get holes too easily.
• WHY DOES IT EXIST? Many socks are made too thin, especially in the toe area.
3. Alarm clock is too easy to accidentally turn off.
• WHY DOES IT EXIST? The button to turn off the alarm is right beside the snooze button and too easy to hit, especially when I’m sleepy and disoriented.
4. Dishwasher doesn’t dry dishes effectively.
• WHY DOES IT EXIST? The process dish washers use for drying the dishes isn’t effective.
5. Lack of parking on the university campus.
• WHY DOES IT EXIST? There is not enough dedicated parking spots on campus. Maybe this is done to encourage use of public transportation?
6. The local kindergarten car pick-up line in unorganized, stressful, and potentially dangerous.
• WHY DOES IT EXIST? There is not enough room for the cars to line up, causing many cars to park along the highway blocking traffic.
7. Not enough restaurant options in my town.
• WHY DOES IT EXIST? Many new restaurants have been unsuccessful in my town. I think that is discouraging for new businesses.
8. Amazon not delivering by the specified time.
• WHY DOES IT EXIST? Sometimes their 2-day Prime shipping times are unachievable due to unreliable delivery companies and drivers.
9. Not knowing when USPS packages arrive at my house.
• WHY DOES IT EXIST? There is no available system through USPS to notify me when they delivers packages.
10. Bank closing before 5:00pm.
• WHY DOES IT EXIST? They probably close before 5:00pm on their slower business days to save money.
11. Having to take my smelly garbage to the local waste management site.
• WHY DOES IT EXIST? There is no garbage pick-up service in the area where I live.
12. Lack of communication with my child’s teachers.
• WHY DOES IT EXIST? Teachers do not make their cell phone numbers available to parents, and it can take too much time to communicate via email.
13. Vehicles not being designed in a way to make servicing easier.
• WHY DOES IT EXIST? Automotive manufacturers are not concerned with the amount of time it will take to service a vehicle. Less service time would equal less expensive repairs.
14. Lack of healthy food options at quick service restaurants.
• WHY DOES IT EXIST? Healthy food is generally more expensive and the demand may not be high enough.
15. Medical insurance being too expensive.
• WHY DOES IT EXIST? There is a lack of competition in the marketplace and medical costs are very high.
16. Dog waste bags that do not control odors.
• WHY DOES IT EXIST? They are not made thick enough or with odor absorbing materials. I prefer environmentally friendly brands, but the “green” brands I have tried seem to be worse at controlling odors.
17. Movie theatre prices being too high.
• WHY DOES IT EXIST? Not enough competition exists and many people are willing to pay the high prices.
18. Lack of beneficial after-school activities for children.
• WHY DOES IT EXIST? Many after-school activities are too concerned with babysitting and entertaining kids until their parents arrive, and not concerned with providing beneficial classes, tutoring, and experiences for kids.
19. Soup being served extremely hot at Subway.
• WHY DOES IT EXIST? Every time I have ordered soup at Subway, it was served scolding hot and not edible without adding ice. Maybe this is just my Subway?
20. No food delivery options in my town.
• WHY DOES IT EXIST? Maybe the demand is not high enough in my area, but there are many nights that I have wished I could order in.

I found this assignment very challenging, mostly because I am not a very observant person. Though I do experience things that “bug” me everyday, I have never taken the time to make a note of them and to think about possible solutions for these annoyances. I think this will change going forward. From now on, whenever I experience these problems or annoyances, I will try to think of why it exists and ways I can solve it.