Events

Jun 2

Tools & Techniques for Virtual Community Engagement Webinar

June 2, 2020 2:00PM - 3:15PM EST Zoom

The MSU National Charrette Institute and the Form-Based Codes Institute at Smart Growth America are partnering to deliver the next webinar on virtual engagement. It focuses on the nuts and bolts of virtual community engagement.

Jun 16

Equitable Inclusion in Virtual Community Engagement Webinar

June 16, 2020 2:00PM - 3:15PM EST Zoom

The MSU National Charrette Institute and the Form-Based Codes Institute at Smart Growth America are partnering to deliver the third webinar on virtual engagement. It focuses on equitable inclusion in virtual community engagement.

Aug 20

RESCHEDULED: NCI Complete Charrette Certificate Training – Detroit, MI

August 20, 2020 - August 26, 2020 Part 1 Training: Webinar; Part 2 Training: In-Person at the MSU Detroit Center, 3408 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48201

This certificate-based training program includes both a webinar on Aug. 20, followed by an in-person training Aug. 24-26.

Oct 12

NCI Complete Charrette Certificate Training – Denver, CO

October 12, 2020 - October 21, 2020 Part 1 Training: Webinar; Part 2 Training: In-Person TBA

This certificate-based training program includes both a webinar on Oct. 12, followed by an in-person training Oct. 19-21.

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In the News

LIAA "Welcome To" Podcast Episode 6: Charrettes: Facilitating Community Collaboration

Published on December 19, 2019
Inside the Charrette Process

Published on February 21, 2019
Mayor Schor Celebrates Partnership and Progress in Baker Neighborhood

Published on February 14, 2019
Lakewood Neighbors moving to its next phase: Letter

Published on January 16, 2019

Transforming Collaboration

In every organization and in every endeavor, creating innovative solutions to complex problems requires collaboration – and necessarily involves conflicting positions. How can you avoid endless meetings and participant burnout while channeling divergent viewpoints into co-action?

The NCI Charrette System transforms collaboration by embedding key participants in the design process, bring them together in a radically creative event to build a supported action plan. This flexible yet prescriptive system cuts project timelines in half, saving money and accelerating implementation.

The Charrette Ideology

Everything that NCI does comes from the learnings of hundreds of charrettes spanning 30 years of practice. These charrettes, conducted in the complex and often contentious world of community planning, have taught us how to efficiently co-create innovative and achievable solutions. The Charrette ideology brings the power of mindfulness to a project, organization or community to build trust and foster innovation through:

Collaboration by design,
Compressed work sessions,
Short feedback loops, and
Finding opportunity in conflict.

NCI Charrette System

How can you save money and time, and still create an innovative solution that is supported and implemented? The NCI Charrette System. Centered around the catalytic charrette event, this efficient process harnesses the talents and energies of all interested parties to create and support a feasible plan in three phases:

Preparation: Become charrette-ready by preparing for the right people, data, and place.
Charrette: Engage the creative moment with all key participants collaborating on a feasible action plan.
Implementation: Move from vision to action—ensure that the charrette plan is solidly supported and has implementation momentum.

Learn and Consult with NCI

The NCI is an educator, facilitator and leader in radical collaboration for strategic action. Our mission is to transform the way people work together by building capacity for collaboration. The NCI works across the spectrum of engagement to:

Teach professionals and community leaders the art and science of the NCI Charrette System through our training and certificate program.
Provide on-going support throughout the project process, including on-the-ground coaching and assistance.
Facilitate the collaborative design process for organizations that are creating and implementing strategic plans and high-priority organizational initiatives.