I've got an outline as my belt & suspenders, letting the details be all in my pants. Every once in a while, I can tell that the pants won't be up to the next part without some more detail, setting (ick!), or background that at least *I* understand--so I write notes.

Rigid adherence to any process doctrine kills my creativity. Hard boundaries, sure--even strict forms. But *process* need to be held gently, permissively, indulgently. Ymmv. :-)