A "charrette" or charette refers to a collaborative group design process where the identification, integration and rationalization of best ideas is the objective.
Charrettes usually take the format of a workshop, a public meeting, or a series of such sessions. Typically the process of a charrette is iterative as information and points-of-view are introduced. As popularized, charrettes are often intensive, with deadlines and objectives presented to the charrette group as part of the challenge.
The term charrette is a french word that refers to little carts, and is also close in spelling and this modern meaning to the french word charette. A charette was a long carriage ride of centuries ago, wherein long conversations and time together allowed public policies and decisions to be examined amongst the fellow travelers.
