Dragon1, an open EA method for visual enterprise architecture, has been developed by Dragon1 Architecture Foundation, from the experience of practicing architecture on projects for clients across Europe.[3] The first version was released in 2003 and was based on the ideas of Mark Paauwe about enterprise architecture, architecture visualization and architecture principles.[4][5][6]
The Dragon1 view of architects, architecture, structure, and architecture principles differs from that held by mainstream enterprise architecture approaches as it specifies the fundamental roles and purpose of principles and its guiding and defining purpose in the generation of architecture visualization and architecture design.
Architects in Dragon1 are designers of "total-concepts";
Enterprise architecture (the total concept of the enterprise) is the coherent set of constructive, operative and decorative business, information & information technology concepts that constitute an enterprise-structure;
Principles are the enforced way things work, producing results;
Architecture principles are the way concepts (as part of an architecture) integrally work producing the results.
Dragon1 is a living open EA method that originated in the Netherlands.
In the Netherlands, there are 200+ companies and 1000+ people using the method.[citation needed] Monthly, there is a user community meeting. Current work groups in the community are Business Requirements, Architecture Principles, Business Concepts Library and Big Data. These work groups focus on the methods for these topics.
In other countries, such as England, Wales, Belgium and Suriname, the method is starting to be used by governments and commercial organizations.[citation needed]