Very interesting, you have a much more organized style than me.

I've been always the more chaotic, slightly unorganized player when I first start. I don't really "think" on what to do next, I just go around and see how stuff works.

Later on, when I get more familiar with a game or have already been through it at least once, I get much more organized, but probably not even close to the same extent as you do.

There's certain things I know will bring rewards or are good to survive, but I will probably still try new things (mostly if I read about them here, as my imagination tends to run dry now), because I like exploring new things or ways to get killed (most of the time).

So, I never was the number cruncher type. I don't "min-max". I play because I want to have fun. I only do numbers or remember certain things that are very useful to me. Other than that, I'm more of a "let's find out!" guy.

Edit: Just realized I went way off-topic. That's me being chaotic... :P
I do try scouting along the edges of a swamp to find the best point where I can enter, but most of the time I just go in trying to map things as best as I can.

The swamps is pretty much the only biome where I do more extensive scouting, because, plainly, I just don't like to spend too much time in there.

Every other biome? Just head on in straight and see what comes up. Because I love all of them (but swamps).