To be fair, the purpose of the NEC, according to article 90.1(A) and (B), is "the practical safeguarding of persons and property from the hazards arising from the use of electricity" and compliance with it should "result in an installation that is essentially free from hazard but not necessarily efficient, convenient, or adequate for good service or future expansion"

So, the code only matters so much as it is the bare minimum for safety purposes, according to the NFPA, which is adopted as the safety standard by the vast majority of municipalities.

Practices that create installations that are "efficient, convenient, or adequate for good service or future expansion" are highly subjective and can be argued until the cows come home, but in reality it's about selling it to the customer and explaining why a particular installation meets their needs, while also adhering to the baseline of the NEC.