So two valid procedures.
There are no doubt more so I don't think you should get to hung up in thinking there are valid and invalid procedures..........
Our SOP is to fly the flight plan if we are close to the flight planned weights, so in that case we'd put the steps in to the FMC as per the plan. OTOH if we are adrift from the planned weights (thinking a heavy, perhaps more than 5 tonnes) you might consider following the FMC steps. If ATC force you to fly at a non-planned level you'll probably end up "playing" with the FMC steps to see what gives you the best results (in terms of ETA and Fuel).