OCD can be about keeping things looking neat and clean just as easily as it can be about running at peak efficiency.
As for me, I usually have a sort of pre-defined way of building my fortresses. The Noble's crypts are always at the bottom z-level. Then the commoners' crypts. Then the noble housing. Then the common housing. I farm on the soil level, and any rooms built here (eventually) get walls and floors built into them. I always have three z-levels for my workshops (that is, one for the shop, one for the output (above) and one for the input (below)) and they usually have one open space on all sides of each workshop. I separate my "hot" industries from the cold ones, so in all my industry takes up about 6 z-levels. My meeting hall, well, and booze/meat industry are all on the same level, just under the surface, and the offices and noble dining halls are somewhere thereabouts. Trade depot always goes outside, eventually behind a wall and connected to a road.
Custom stockpiles are an absolute must. I cannot imagine playing the game without them.
I generally focus on getting my food and bedrooms up first, then basic defenses, then slowly add industries and move stuff inside as it becomes available. Cloth is usually an early industry, as the stuff is easily made (grow pig tails) and gives me all the chains I need for war dogs/breeding cattle.
... I can't tell yet if I'm interested in a succession game or not. It's hard for me to sit down and play just one year. c.c;