CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	CRA International, Inc. Shareholders' Equity	Common Stock	Receivable from Shareholder	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Noncontrolling Interest
BALANCE at Jan. 01, 2011	$ 255,424	$ 254,754	$ 103,067	$ (1,400)	$ 158,749	$ (5,662)	$ 670
BALANCE (in shares) at Jan. 01, 2011			10,567,052
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	16,945	16,851			16,851		94
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(676)	(676)				(676)
Exercise of stock options	620	620	620
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	47,009		47,009
Share-based compensation expense for employees	5,696	5,696	5,696
Restricted shares vesting (in shares)			164,086
Redemption of vested employee restricted shares for tax withholding	(1,146)	(1,146)	(1,146)
Redemption of vested employee restricted shares for tax withholding (in shares)			(50,724)
Tax deficit on stock option exercises and restricted share vesting	(639)	(639)	(639)
Notes receivable issued to shareholders	(36)	(36)		(36)
Payments received on notes receivable from shareholders	1,200	1,200		1,200
Shares repurchased	(9,054)	(9,054)	(9,054)
Shares repurchased (in shares)	(398,372)		(398,372)
Share-based compensation expense for non-employees	34	34	34
Equity transactions of noncontrolling interest	39						39
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2011	268,407	267,604	98,578	(236)	175,600	(6,338)	803
BALANCE (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011			10,329,051
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	(52,843)	(52,990)			(52,990)		147
Foreign currency translation adjustment	1,950	1,950				1,950
Exercise of stock options	647	647	647
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	47,185		47,185
Share-based compensation expense for employees	4,868	4,868	4,868
Restricted shares vesting (in shares)			216,528
Redemption of vested employee restricted shares for tax withholding	(1,360)	(1,360)	(1,360)
Redemption of vested employee restricted shares for tax withholding (in shares)			(69,207)
Tax deficit on stock option exercises and restricted share vesting	(576)	(576)	(576)
Payments received on notes receivable from shareholders	116	116		116
Shares repurchased	(9,062)	(9,062)	(9,062)
Shares repurchased (in shares)	(466,109)		(466,109)
Share-based compensation expense for non-employees	79	79	79
Equity transactions of noncontrolling interest	8						8
BALANCE at Dec. 29, 2012	212,234	211,276	93,174	(120)	122,610	(4,388)	958
BALANCE (in shares) at Dec. 29, 2012	10,057,448		10,057,448
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	11,235	11,370			11,370		(135)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	964	964				964
Exercise of stock options	207	207	207
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	13,389		13,389
Share-based compensation expense for employees	2,888	2,888	2,888
Restricted shares vesting (in shares)			134,384
Redemption of vested employee restricted shares for tax withholding	(730)	(730)	(730)
Redemption of vested employee restricted shares for tax withholding (in shares)			(37,642)
Tax deficit on stock option exercises and restricted share vesting	(254)	(254)	(254)
Payments received on notes receivable from shareholders	120	120		120
Shares repurchased	(2,190)	(2,190)	(2,190)
Shares repurchased (in shares)	(118,968)		(118,968)
Share-based compensation expense for non-employees	147	147	147
Equity transactions of noncontrolling interest	16						16
BALANCE at Dec. 28, 2013	$ 224,637	$ 223,798	$ 93,242	$ 0	$ 133,980	$ (3,424)	$ 839
BALANCE (in shares) at Dec. 28, 2013	10,048,611		10,048,611