We present a multi-site formulation of mean-field theory applied to the
disordered Bose-Hubbard model. In this approach the lattice is partitioned into
clusters, each isolated cluster being treated exactly, with inter-cluster
hopping being treated approximately. The theory allows for the possibility of a
different superfluid order parameter at every site in the lattice, such as what
has been used in previously published site-decoupled mean-field theories, but a
multi-site formulation also allows for the inclusion of spatial correlations
allowing us, e.g., to calculate the correlation length (over the length scale
of each cluster). We present our numerical results for a two-dimensional
system. This theory is shown to produce a phase diagram in which the stability
of the Mott insulator phase is larger than that predicted by site-decoupled
single-site mean-field theory. Two different methods are given for the
identification of the Bose glass-to-superfluid transition, one an approximation
based on the behaviour of the condensate fraction, and one of which relies on
obtaining the spatial variation of the order parameter correlation. The
relation of our results to a recent proposal that both transitions are non
self-averaging is discussed.Comment: Accepted for publication in Physical Review