Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - 9 months ended Oct. 01, 2016 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	CRA International, Inc. Shareholders' Equity	Common Stock	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Noncontrolling Interest	Total
BALANCE at Jan. 02, 2016	$ 211,756	$ 65,731	$ 155,275	$ (9,250)	$ (688)	$ 211,068
BALANCE (in shares) at Jan. 02, 2016		8,859,231				8,859,231
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Net income	10,830		10,830		1,327	$ 12,157
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(2,523)			(2,523)		(2,523)
Issuance of common stock	44	$ 44				44
Issuance of common stock (in shares)		1,790
Exercise of stock options	1,448	$ 1,448				1,448
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		60,805
Share-based compensation expense for employees	4,698	$ 4,698				4,698
Share-based compensation expense for non-employees	88	$ 88				88
Restricted share vesting (in shares)		87,464
Redemption of vested employee restricted shares for tax withholding	(490)	$ (490)				(490)
Redemption of vested employee restricted shares for tax withholding (in shares)		(24,996)
Tax benefit on stock options and restricted shares vesting	44	$ 44				44
Shares repurchases	(19,318)	$ (19,318)				$ (19,318)
Shares repurchases (in shares)		(784,867)				(783,703)
Equity transactions of noncontrolling interest					6	$ 6
BALANCE at Oct. 01, 2016	$ 206,577	$ 52,245	$ 166,105	$ (11,773)	$ 645	$ 207,222
BALANCE (in shares) at Oct. 01, 2016		8,199,427				8,199,427