Centralised path management for multi-subpackage projects

Have made an Emacs toolset with multiple subtools, each requiring 
knowledge of specific directories containing .el files.  These 
paths must be added to `load-path' before calling `require' on
the respective libraries.

Rather than duplicating path definitions across every subtool
with possibility of update difficulties issues and hardcoded 
user directories, a centralised high-level controller file 
that defines all paths via defcustom variables would produce
a maintainable system.

Users could then override paths in one place or via the Custom 
interface if they place the code locally.

What are your thoughts on this?  Particularly insights from those 
who have implemented similar multi-subpackage schemes with shared 
path management.