How do I improve?

Hi there, 

Let me take them one by one. 

(1) Attention to detail

Step 1: Finding the root cause - do a "problem solving session" with yourself, trying to be as honest and comprehensive as you can and identify what is your most common type of mistake and what is the main cause for that. Is it lack of patience, lack of time or simply not noticing the details? What kind of details (e.g., do you make number mistakes, spelling mistakes or are you not noticing insights you should be noticing?)

Step 2: Based on the root cause, devise a plan that works for you on how to overcome it. Some ideas are: 

• building in some time for checks in your estimates
• making a checklist of common mistakes you make and going through it at the end of each deliverable / day / etc
• print-out documents to read them in a new format
• "gamify" the checking process: push yourself to find as many mistakes as possible

Step 3: Implement the above for a while and judge if you see an improvement. Keep on fine-tuning your plan. 

(2) Delay in delivery

This is more often than not a communication issue, therefore the solution is better managing expectations. For example when you receive some feedback, you can try to quickly estimate how long the change would take and reply back to your manager something along the lines "this would take me an additional X hours, so I can deliver the completed task by XY PM - is this ok?". If thiings take longer than your estimate, give a quick update to said manager (e.g., "I tried this and that and it took longer than I anticipated, I estimate to finish by XZ PM"). 

Besides the above advice, I also recommend reaching out to your mentor or career coordinator, showing motivation to solve this and ask for their support in establishing a plan to improve + a way to track progress. This will show an improvement mindset and it could actually help with the accountability. 

Hope this helps, 

Ariadna

Hello there!

Could you give more details regarding your feedback? I’m wondering the level of severity of both issues. E.g.: include wrong numbers in a presentation is worst than having a presentation that has a design error.

General advice:

1) Attention to detail: force yourself to check your deliverables, specifically those you tend to be less attentive to the details. Make a checklist and go over it every time. You can also count with a peer to help you check for errors before considering something done.

2)Pace: If you don’t agree with #2, it may be a matter of showing the progress of your work. A leader wants to know how things are evolving rather than just being informed when something is done. Ask your manager how he would like to be updated. One way would be to touch basis every week to show what you have accomplished, roadblocks, plans for the next week and adjustments to the deadlines if necessary. It can be as simple as an email. 

Best of luck with your development plans!

Mari

Very practical tips to improve both areas:

1. Attention to Detail

• Prepare checklists with your typical mistakes and use them consistently (e.g., reviewing Excel models, checking PPT pages, structuring project kickoffs, etc.).

• Develop a habit of double-checking your work before submitting anything.

2. Delays Due to Rework

• Set clear expectations upfront with your manager to minimize misalignment.

• Increase the frequency of follow-ups to ensure you’re on the right track before major revisions are needed.

• Master PowerPoint and Excel shortcuts to speed up execution.

• Learn from experienced analysts how to balance perfection vs. “good enough” based on the deliverable type (e.g., an internal discussion doc vs. a client-ready presentation require different levels of refinement).

Happy to coach you on this. Send me a private message.

Best,

Alberto

—

Explore my latest case inspired by a real MBB interview: Chic & Stitch - Fashion Market Expansion

It sounds like you’re doing well overall, but those recurring feedback points can definitely be frustrating—especially when delays are out of your control. For attention to detail, you might try building in an extra review step before submission, even if it’s just a quick self-check or using tools like checklists. As for deliverable delays, keeping a record of when changes are requested and how they impact timelines could help clarify expectations with your lead. Transparent communication about revisions might also help shift the perception.

Hello there,

In addition to the strategies mentioned by other coaches, consider adding a brief, weekly reflective review to your routine. This doesn’t require heavy tracking—just a 10–15 minute debrief at the end of each week to consolidate feedback and plan small, incremental improvements.

Here's a short checklist to guide your review:

• Key Deliverables: Note the main tasks or projects you completed this week.
• Feedback Recap: List any specific feedback you received regarding attention to detail, timeliness, or other areas.
• Recurring Issues: Identify any patterns or repeated challenges in your work.
• Communication Points: Record any misunderstandings or delays due to unclear expectations and how you addressed them.
• Strategies Tried: Write down the techniques you implemented (e.g., checklists, extra reviews) and assess their effectiveness.
• Small Wins: Acknowledge any improvements, even if minor.
• Actionable Goals: Set one or two specific changes you’ll focus on for the next week.

To further enhance this process, deliberately seek external feedback from your manager or a trusted peer. Combining your self-reflections with targeted external input can provide a well-rounded view of your progress and help you fine-tune your approach.

Drop me a DM if you'd like to discuss these strategies further or need additional support!

Johannes

Hey there 😊, it's great that you're committed to improving; for attention to detail, consider creating a personal checklist to review your work before submission and ask for specific examples from your leads so you know exactly what to focus on, and regarding deliverable delays, try having a proactive discussion with your leads to clarify expectations and potential revisions upfront, which might help streamline the process and reduce rework—small tweaks in your workflow and clearer communication can really make a difference, and I'm here if you have any more questions. Best, Alessa 😊

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on your career trajectory thus far!

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your situation:

• First of all, what have your managers told you about these aspects and how to work on them?
• Moreover, I would advise you to make proofreading part of your daily working habits if you seem to be making mistakes and showing a "lack of attention to detail".
• Lastly, to avoid delays in delivery, I would advise you to involve your supervisors earlier in the process so that they can give you feedback on where your work is going.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

It’s great that you’re proactive about improving, and it’s completely normal to struggle with recurring feedback early in your consulting career. 

Here’s how you can address these concerns strategically:

Attention to detail

• Implement a structured review process: Before submitting work, do a final pass focusing purely on catching small errors (e.g., formatting, typos, inconsistencies). Use the built-in error checks in Power Point, Excel, etc.
• Use checklists: Create a simple checklist for common issues like number consistency, slide formatting, and logic flow. Track your own errors to see where it usually goes wrong.
• Ask a peer for a second look: A quick peer review can catch things you might miss. Ask a fellow consultant, not your EM.

Deliverables

• Clarify expectations upfront: If the lead often asks for rework or structural changes, try to get more precise guidance before you start. Ask: “Would you like this structured in X or Y way?” or “Do you have an example of what you’d consider a strong deliverable?”
• Proactively update stakeholders: If changes are likely, loop in your lead early and show partial progress so they can course-correct before the final submission.
• Frame the rework constructively: Instead of seeing it as unnecessary, recognize that it’s part of the consulting process. The faster you align with your lead’s preferences, the fewer changes will be needed over time.

To ensure this feedback doesn’t impact your promotion or job security, actively demonstrate improvement by discussing your progress in check-ins and showing that you’re implementing feedback. 

If the "delayed deliverables" feedback feels unfair, manage perception by subtly reframing it - when submitting work, highlight that you've iterated based on prior feedback to enhance efficiency. 

At the same time, leverage your strengths as a smart and strong team player to build goodwill with leadership, reinforcing your overall value to the team.

Even if you plan to leave in 18-24 months, addressing these points will help you exit on a strong note with great recommendations. 

Let me know if you need help with specific strategies!

Cheers,

Florian

Hi there, 

great to see that you really want to improve on your areas for development, that is the first step! :) 

I have been in your shoes when joining BCG and have also been in your manager's shoes as my role as PL and Principal so I can very much relate to what you are describing. 

I think the common denominator on both topics is communication. Consulting is all about making sure you know exactly where to go and manage expecations of your clients and case leaders on how long it will take you and how you are doing on your way there. Tackling the points 1 by 1: 

1) Attention to detail
Either you are really missing details or you and your manager are not on the same page on what level of detail is required. Look at the work you handed in and at the corrected version. Try to spot patterns / similarities for the things that you missed or overlooked. If it is something like "not all pages had numbers on them", you can easily avoid this by creating a checklist and going through all items prior to every send-out. If the feedback is something like "I did not like this page it looks messy", then you should sit down with you manager and understand exactly what they are looking for / what they think an optimal page is. 

2) Delay in deliverable
I have seen this time and time again with younger colleagues. Sometimes it was out of their drive to solve the problem on their own and sometimes it was because they were afraid to ask (which you should never be). The key to getting rid of this problem is by asking the right questions upfront ("when does it need to be done", "when do you want to check-in before the submission", "what do you have in mind for final outcome") and to align with your leader throughout the process. I always told my younger team members that once I have given them a task and a deadline, it is their job to get from me what they need to deliver the outcome in time. Some blocked time in my calendar for review slots, others sent over strawmans after they took 2 hours to think about it. Whatever helps you the most. But do not make the mistake of working in silence and then showing the deliverable to your team leader 1 hour before deadline. 

Happy to chat through any of this if you would like :) 

Best, 
Sebastian