Side content is most useful when it solves a current weakness. Use optional activities to improve the character rather than treating them as a separate checklist.
1. Identify what the build currently lacks
Look for weak survivability, poor damage, limited mobility or missing synergy before choosing the next activity.
2. Use side content to solve that weakness
Choose activities that help fund, unlock or test the upgrade you actually need.
3. Use lower-pressure content to learn the build
Optional encounters are useful places to test new weapons, cyberware and movement without forcing a difficult main mission.
4. Return to the main objective when the bottleneck is fixed
Once the build feels stronger and the weakness is reduced, go back to the mission that originally felt difficult.