I really like this article. It's the balance between centralized and distributed departments. In a BI environemnt, data quality, mastering and core IT function stay central, while relevance and application are handled in close proximity to end users.

If the hub gives the spokes great tools and practices, the spokes can be an amazing source of innovation, helping the systems keep up with the changes that otherwise end up causing projects to stagnate.

I've helped pioneer this kind philospohy with a client who stated the system we build for them was the most bang for the buck by far.

Love it!