Adapting Ideal Lookbook/Grade Workflow for Fast-Paced Docs/Commercials?

Hey fellow grips and cinematographers,

I was just reading through an article that laid out this really comprehensive workflow, from initial lookbook and concepting all the way through to final grade. It's truly an ideal scenario, covering everything with meticulous detail.

My question is, how do you all adapt this kind of 'ideal' process to fit the realities of faster-paced commercial or documentary projects? Often, we're jumping in with very limited pre-production. For example, on a recent commercial using an ALEXA Mini, we had maybe two days to prep the lighting before principle photography. For docs, sometimes it's even less, sometimes just rock-and-roll with an FX6 and some battery-powered Forza 720Bs.

I try to condense color conversations and technical scouting as much as possible, focusing on key looks and ensuring proper exposure and white balance on set. But I'm genuinely curious, what corners do you find are safe to 'cut' or streamline? And what's non-negotiable for you, regardless of the timeline?

Really keen to hear your practical approaches.