Work backward from intended colas per sq ft... use both topping and training with scrog to get there as effeciently as possible. ~3 colas per sq ft works well. a fraction or 3 less or more is fine too. Canopy size and DLI is primary cause of yield. More than ~3 colas per sq ft won't improve yield. It'll just spread growth out more and get smaller buds on average.
I want 8 colas per plant for the space i expect each to fill, so i top twice as i train the 4 primary branches outward. This results in least pruned off growth which wastes fewer resources and irrelevant growth. It doesn't stall the plant or otherwise cause a problem that slows it down - also important. could also bend it over and train 8 colas out from a spine. While i cut off 2-3 nodes for initial topping and less on ensuing tops (all get topped twice), LST typically invovles cutting off several branches that are facing down, so it really does end up being very similar amount of time/"wasted" growth, either way. Some waste is inevitable.
A well managed canopy gives good spacing. Reduces stretching. Automatically get good enough light penetration without removing anything. Work backward from a target. spread out growth as evenly as you can to get there with the least amount of pruned growth. Depending on how complex you need to be it may take a little trial and error.
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