Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity - 9 months ended Oct. 03, 2015 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	CRA International, Inc. Shareholders' Equity	Common Stock	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Noncontrolling Interest	Total
BALANCE at Jan. 03, 2015	$ 214,085	$ 73,171	$ 147,618	$ (6,704)	$ 619	$ 214,704
BALANCE (in shares) at Jan. 03, 2015		9,228,272				9,228,272
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	8,964		8,964		(50)	$ 8,914
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(1,437)			(1,437)		(1,437)
Issuance of common stock in connection with business acquisition	42	$ 42				42
Issuance of common stock in connection with business acquisition (in shares)		1,359
Exercise of stock options	602	$ 602				602
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		29,288
Share-based compensation expense for employees	4,382	$ 4,382				4,382
Share-based compensation expense for non-employees	21	$ 21				21
Restricted share vesting (in shares)		32,393
Redemption of vested employee restricted shares for tax withholding	(127)	$ (127)				(127)
Redemption of vested employee restricted shares for tax withholding (in shares)		(4,357)
Tax deficit on stock options and restricted shares vesting	(267)	$ (267)				(267)
Shares repurchased	(10,810)	$ (10,810)				$ (10,810)
Shares repurchased (in shares)		(388,800)				(388,800)
Equity transactions of noncontrolling interest					19	$ 19
BALANCE at Oct. 03, 2015	$ 215,455	$ 67,014	$ 156,582	$ (8,141)	$ 588	$ 216,043
BALANCE (in shares) at Oct. 03, 2015		8,898,155				8,898,155