The document presents a diagram that illustrates how responsibilities and problems are passed down through the levels of a consulting firm, like shit rolling downhill. At the top is the client, who generates the initial problems. Partners avoid responsibility, and the problems roll down to senior managers and managers. Eventually, the most problems land on and cover the consultants. Analysts are initially shielded from problems by their ignorance, but uncover more problems that they hide, allowing these problems to ferment over time.

1. As we all know, shit rolls downhill. The following diagram illustrates exactly how this process takes place in a consulting firm.

2. At the top of the hill is the Client. Generally, the Client, in one way or another, generates the shit. Client Shit

3. Partner The shit first reaches the Partner. But Partners are very adept at smelling shit coming, and say, “I’m a Partner, I don’t have to take this shit.” And so the shit rolls on by.

4. Senior Manager Now the shit reaches the Senior Manager. It’s picking up some speed by now, and the Senior Manager gets splashed. “Phew, this shit stinks,” says the Senior Manager, “better pass it down.”

5. Manager So the shit washes over the Manager, and he gets well dipped in shit. But by this time, the shit has a lot of momentum, and it keeps rolling down.

6. Consultant And so the shit lands on the Consultant. And the Consultant gets covered in it, and spends the entire engagement swimming in it.

7. Crest of Ignorance The Analyst is shielded from the shit by the Crest of Ignorance, which keeps shit from rolling down on him/her, and ensures that the Analyst remains submerged. Analyst

8. Cave of Unreported Exceptions Meanwhile, however, the Analyst discovers more shit as they proceed with the engagement. Not sure what to do with it, they conceal it in the Cave of Unreported Exceptions.

9. Fermented shit After a while, the cave gets filled with shit, and it starts to ferment. Then the Consultant begins to smell hidden shit, and wonders “Dammit, now who’s been hiding shit?”

10. So, next time you’re a Consultant on an engagement, and you wonder why your life seems like shit, just refer to the diagram.