Fourth part of Dragon1
Dragon1 ‘Way of Supporting’ discusses the fourth component of the visual enterprise architecture method Dragon1. The ‘way of supporting’ focuses on helping the architect, manager, and the company work efficiently and qualitatively with visual enterprise architecture.
The ‘way of supporting’ makes the theory offered in Dragon1 practically applicable with tools in the method and tools created based on the method. All these tools have been created based on a practical application of parts of Dragon1.
Working with the tools from the ‘way of supporting’ increases the quality of the produced architecture products and accelerates. The tools provide structure, approach, and quality, allowing the user to focus on the content.
Way of Supporting Framework
The Dragon1 ‘Way of Supporting’ can be described as a whole with an architecture framework. The framework consists of four ‘Way of supporting’ concepts. The ‘way of supporting’ mainly concerns the question: how is the architect optimally supported when creating architecture designs and drawing up the architectures? The ‘way of supporting’ provides the architect with symbols, notation, conceptual framework, example posters, templates, checklists, reference maps, certification, and software tools.
The Way of Thinking Framework shows the most important concepts that are part of the way of supporting the method.
Architecture Language
The concept ‘Architecture Language’ initially addresses the conceptual framework, the symbol set, and the open standards that make up Dragon1. This concept describes how Dragon1 handles its definitions for concepts and provides a helping hand for the architect to expand their conceptual framework and that of their design assignment.
Secondly, the concept explores how architects approach their symbols in visualizations. There is a strong relationship between the definition of concepts and the shapes used as symbols for them. The architect will also often have to recognize new symbols for new concepts.
Thirdly, the open standards that make up Dragon1 are discussed. These open standards utilize Dragon1's concepts and symbols, offering a practical approach for creating architecture products based on the Dragon1 theory.
Digital Checklists & Document Templates
The concept of ‘Checklists & Document templates’ is discussed in this paragraph. This concept involves how the architect typically produces several essential architecture products, following a step-by-step plan and structure. This concept ensures that the architect can embed and adapt their way of working in Dragon1. The more an architect realizes what they are doing, the more control they have over it. We focus on checklists and document templates because the architect can now discuss and communicate with their client and colleagues early on what is being done and what has been made.
Digital Tools
The concept of ‘Dragon1-based tools’ is a helping hand from experienced users of the method to new users. With examples based on best practices, the website, the foundation, training, books, and user groups, users are now able to share a wealth of information, knowledge, and expertise.
Organization around Dragon1
The concept ‘Organization around Dragon1’ is the fourth concept from the ‘way of supporting’ and concerns how consultation, management, maintenance, and further development take place. Dragon1 stands as an open method, characterized by its quality and practical applicability. To maintain the high quality and practical applicability of the method, a foundation and user association have been established around the Dragon1 method. There is the possibility of certification and accreditation.