The optimization choices in the tech tree often boil down to better vs cheaper vs smaller or improved/easier to make/lower maintenance. What do you choose and why? I imagine factions with poor manufacturing might want ships cheaper to produce, buut... maybe they should want the best ships possible for the manufacturing points?
I know "it depends" is the goto answer, but what guidelines do you follow when choosing optimizations?
PS is there a better place to ask strategy questions than this forum?