For a plus side of what Pattison offers, a methodological approach helps a writer stay productive.
Since staying productive is a key aspect to writing better songs, I find it helpful to have some technical guidance.
I can understand if you are a Berkley student in a class, the instructor will most likely want you to stick to the practices in the curriculum while your in the course.
However, for songwriting in general, it's not an either/or that you can only be inspired, or only use a methodological approach.
Either way, it's all about the songs, so whatever gets you there, or wherever you're wanting to go, take or leave what you see fits