CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - 3 months ended Apr. 01, 2017 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	CRA International, Inc. Shareholders' Equity	Common Stock	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Noncontrolling Interest	Total
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 207,220	$ 54,124	$ 166,914	$ (13,818)	$ 663	$ 207,883
BALANCE (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		8,333,990				8,333,990
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	2,853		2,853		(23)	$ 2,830
Foreign currency translation adjustment	584			584		584
Issuance of restricted common stock	3,000	$ 3,000				3,000
Issuance of restricted common stock (in shares)		88,044
Exercise of stock options	1,266	$ 1,266				1,266
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		60,355
Share-based compensation expense for employees	1,631	$ 1,631				1,631
Restricted share vesting (in shares)		53,913
Redemption of vested employee restricted shares for tax withholding	(703)	$ (703)				(703)
Redemption of vested employee restricted shares for tax withholding (in shares)		(19,519)
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation not previously recognized	48		48			$ 48
Shares repurchased (in shares)						0
Share-based compensation expense for non-employees	24	$ 24				$ 24
Accrued dividends on unvested shares	(44)		(44)			(44)
Cash dividends paid to stockholder	(1,188)		(1,188)			(1,188)
Cash paid on dividend equivalents	(24)		(24)			(24)
BALANCE at Apr. 01, 2017	$ 214,667	$ 59,342	$ 168,559	$ (13,234)	$ 640	$ 215,307
BALANCE (in shares) at Apr. 01, 2017		8,516,783				8,516,783