TMP Collection:Charrette Team

As a Charrette Team Leader � the most important thing you can do is build a good team. I have noticed � in building teams � it is important to keep three things in mind: timing, transparency and typology

Timing: Maximize the time and talents of those assembled. Rigorous preparation and comprehensive scheduling before the charrette can ensure that momentum is captured and positive action is taken right away. The timing of information delivery makes a BIG difference in the design team�s efficiency. Team Members: Coordinator, Local Guide, Caterer

Transparency: Ask every stakeholder to share their values and then openly address them in the solutions offered. Openly documenting and publishing this input will achieve the maximum awareness and ownership among the stakeholders. Exposing the process establishes trust and credibility. Team Members: Recorders, Reporters, Publishers

Typology: Base the design on successful built precedents that can be affordably, efficiently and legally built by existing industries. Developing an understandable set of street, frontage and building types can often be more important than the plan itself. This is especially true in infill projects where the pattern of streets may still be intact but the streetscapes and frontages have either been suburbanized or blighted. The urban design can focus on identifying types that can mend the streets back to the buildings.Team Members: Designers, Renderers, Facilitators, Experts, Technicians

12 Team Roles

1 Leadership Role
Team Leader
(makes decisions)

5 Design Roles
Designer
(creates solutions)
Renderer
(produces drawings)
Facilitator
(leads meetings)
Experts
(provides answers)
Technician
(runs studio equipment)

3 Documentation Roles
Recorder
(collects data)
Reporter
(synthesizes information)
Publisher
(informs stakeholders)

3 Administration Roles
Coordinator
(runs logistics)
Local Guide
(orients people)
Caterer
(feeds everyone)

Charrette Team Task Schedule

	INFO GATHERING	DESIGN & REVIEW	PRESENTATION
1 Team Leader (makes decisions)	Builds the Team Guides Discussion	Leads Discussion Makes Final Decisions on Direction of Designs	Leads Presentation Meeting
2 Designer (creates solutions)	Listens to Info	Creates Design Solutions to Community Issues	Presents Designs Answers Questions
3 Renderer (produces drawings)	Listens to Community Issues	Produces Drawings	Helps Explain Designs
4 Facilitator (leads meetings)	Leads Community Meetings	Leads Design Discussions	Leads Presentation Meeting
5 Experts (provides answers)	Listens to Community Issues	Provides Answers and Expertise	Helps Explain Designs Answers Questions
6 Technician (runs studio equipment)	Sets Up Studio Equipment	Runs Studio Equipment	Runs Presentation Equipment
7 Recorder (collects data)	Researches Background Information Records Community Issues	Records Team Meetings and Discussion	Records Presentation Meeting
8 Reporter (synthesizes information)	Assmebles Background Data and Community Issues in Useable Format	Formats Data from Meetings	Formats Presentation Record
9 Publisher (informs stakeholders)	Publishes Background Information and Community Issues	Publishes Meeting Information	Publishes Design Drawings and Presentation Record
10 Coordinator (runs logistics)	Sets Up Schedule	Manages Studio Schedule (Open and Private Times)	Manages Presentation (Name Tags, Contact Info, etc...)
11 Local Guide (orients people)	Helps Gather Background Info Leads Site Tour	Guides Participants through Boards	Orientates Stakeholders During Presentation
12 Caterer (feeds everyone)	Plans Menu Provides Food for Community Meetings	Provides Food for Charrette Team	Provides Snacks for Presentation Meeting

TMP Article:
Design Team

The Design Team is obviously the first and most common set of roles on a charrette team.

Date: February 2003

TMP Article:
Documentation Team

Thorough documentation should occur throughout the process. Having an independent team document the charrette helps create an environment of trust.

Date: February 2003

TMP Article:
Administration Team

A third tier of the charrette team that typically evolves haphazardly is the administration team. It is the administrative side that - if run well - can allow the charrette to run more efficiently and then set up momentum for implementation afterwards.

Date: February 2003

TMP Link:
The Public Process and New Urbanism

This article, written by Jennifer L. Hurley, is an excellent discussion of the role of a charrette mediator and what impact quality mediation has on the public planning process was published through the Knight Program for Community Building website (272 kb *pdf).

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