Granted, companions are manageable, but when random npcs stand blocking a little alcove you've went in to explore or a doorway, you have little choice but to wait until they decide to go bother someone else. I'm not saying we should just be able to walk clean through npcs that are blocking doorways etc, but being able to at least move them by pushing into them would be a start.

You can push them. It just takes a bit of work.

P.S.

Meaning they just take small steps back.

Just walk into them for a second or two and they back up. That's all it takes.

ya, if you just keep running into them they usually take a step back...or at least followers do, not really sure about random NPC's

I wonder if you can sprint bump them.

Pretty much this.

Alternatively, you can press and hold the use key on them to bring up a command interface. Point to a location and tell them to wait there and they will get out of your way.

Companions aren't the issue, as like i said, they are manageable, it's people like guards or non companions that are bothersome. running into them makes no difference, i've tried that. For example i had a quest that i had to go into a small room and the npc followed, like they do when you're in a shop, and i had to wait around 30 seconds before she decided to shift her ass.