A New Pattern Framework and Innovative Practices in the Smart Court System-of-Systems Engineering Project of China

Abstract

Developing large-scale complex information systems, such as the Smart Court system-of-systems (SoSs) of China, is a worldwide engineering challenge. This paper, from a methodological perspective, aims to expound the theoretical construction and practical progress of Smart Court system-of-systems engineering (SoSE) of China. The concept and key task requirements of SoSE are explored, technical difficulties faced by the Smart Court SoSE are analyzed, and a “two-track parallel, six-ring linkage” pattern framework is proposed for the progressive collaboration SoSE of large-scale autonomous information systems. Based on the theories including a universal information model, information metric system, and dynamic configurations of information systems, a key evaluation indicator system for an information SoSs is proposed. To satisfy the SoSE design requirements, an overall design method based on information relationships and its enabling tool are proposed, and a reference model of the Smart Court SoSs is designed to provide a top-level reference for the system development and integration of the Smart Court. Moreover, the development and collaborative integration of the autonomous and backbone systems in the Smart Court SoSE are presented in a comprehensive manner. The nationwide application and promotion of the Smart Court SoSs support the upgrade and transformation of the conventional judicial operation pattern of people's courts in China. Through continuous analyses of the quality and effectiveness of the Smart Court based on the key evaluation indicators, targeted improvement can be conducted to further enhance the SoSs capabilities, thereby contributing to the progress of judicial civilization in the information age.

Keywords

• smart court, system-of-systems engineering, judicial informatization, information theory, progressive collaboration