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The only real difference in workflow is the tool to make the sketch. Some prefer paper and pencil, others prefer Poser itself. But I completely agree that working without a plan cannot result in a truly great image.

nope.  that's the same as just starting with wood to make furniture.  basically you're starting at the mock-up.  it's totally different to start with a sketch.  i'm not saying everyone has to do it, but i will stand by the notion that it generally makes a better picture.  i've even seen that in most of the CG Society challenge threads.  not that one can't do good work without a sketch, just that i think it generally would make ok or good work great.

oh, a photo reference is definitely great for posing.  i definitely advocate that. but i wasn't advocating sketching for the pose.  i was advocating it for the camera angle, composition and balance.  as was mentioned, you can go through several possibilitie in sketch form in the time it takes to load 4 figures and take them out of T-pose.  not to mention, starting with a sketch and a concept rather than an actual object just frees you to think about what you actually want to show rather than just how to show off that object.  a lot of pictures here weaken the composition by showing the whole figure, or all the figures involved.  i see so many cropped thumbnails that are much better than the whole full sized picture.

i could go on and on about why i think 2d sketching is different and helpful, but it's kind of moot.   if people don't want to do it, they shouldn't.  i think sketching can make your work better, but i would never absolutely, without fail and in every situation guarantee it.  the one thing  i can guarantee that it won't work to do anything you're against at the outset.

as for use D|S if you don't sketch.... i don't even understand the basis for that statement.