Final answer:
The option not characteristic of a well-designed service system is high cost; well-designed systems are efficient, flexible, and satisfying to customers. High costs can be a detriment, making the service inaccessible and less competitive.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristic that is not a feature of a well-designed service system from the provided options is high cost. A well-designed service system aims for efficiency, flexibility, and customer satisfaction as core attributes. Efficiency ensures the service operates smoothly and optimally, flexibility allows the system to adapt to changes or unforeseen circumstances, and customer satisfaction is pivotal to maintaining a positive reputation and customer base. On the contrary, high cost is generally undesirable as it can make the service less competitive and accessible to customers.
In evaluating the quality of a design, factors such as cost, culture, cleanliness, and family may be considered, depending on the context. It's important to remember that engineering achievements, while aiming for positive outcomes, can lead to unintended consequences if not carefully managed. This is why thorough testing of prototypes and considering the attributes of a product deeply are crucial to the design process.
Sometimes, poor design decisions made early in the process can result in an inability to meet customer needs effectively, further highlighting the importance of a well-thought-out design from the outset.