Charrette

The Charrette

 

Description:

The Charrette is a term and process borrowed from the architectural community.  Its purpose is to get feedback on and improve a work in progress.  A group, team or individual requests a charrette when one or more of the following conditions exist:

·         The group is experiencing difficulty with the work

·         A roadblock has been reached

·         Additional minds (thinkers new to the work) could help move it forward

Process:

1.         The presenting individual, team or group presents its “work in progress” while the critical friends listen (5 minutes)

2.          Critical Friends ask clarifying questions (5 minutes)

3.        The presenters state what they need or want from the charrette, thereby focusing the discussion.  The focus is usually in the form of a specific request, but it can be generic (“How can we make this better?”  “What is our next step”)

4.        The critical friends discuss while the presenters listen and take notes.  The emphasis is on improving the work, which now belongs to the entire group.  The atmosphere is one of “we’re in this together,” and our single purpose is “to make a good thing better.”  (10 minutes)

5.        After the critical friends have finished discussing the work, the presenters briefly summarize what was gained, thank their critical friends—and go back to the drawing board! (5 minutes)

6.        DEBRIEF: How well did this protocol work for the presenters and the rest of the group? How  does it compare to other protocols (5-10 minutes)

The keys to a successful charrette are these two fundamental beliefs:

·     Individuals or groups working together can usually produce better work than individuals or groups working in isolation

·    There is no piece of work that with more time, thought and effort couldn’t be improved (“with learning there is no finish line”)