Please don't take my previous post as saying you were doing it wrong. Technique is individual to each pilot. Some guys set the hard alt in the FMS and preselect each step down and use the banana bar, some don't set the hard alt in the fms (leaving between and above/below), and use the snowflake, some set the hard alt in the preselect and use the banana bar and DIR/INTC page on the FMS to meet the restrictions. If your carrier doesn't "specify" it to be done a certain way and you don't bust an altitude, it's simply your technique. If you don't bust anything, your way works just as well as anyone's. The OP asked about the way of DIR/INTC, and I think he understands it. Obviously, with 2 folks up front, both "should" be very vigilant of where you are and where you are going on the "descend via" rnav arrivals. There are many "gotcha's" on some of those that require extra attention. The one that comes to mind is the eldee in DCA that throws a 10000 to 9000 step down.... The speed reduction and short distance between fixes can "bite" when trying to slow and get down if you get a little behind.

The beauty of the DIR/INTC is you see the speed as well as the VS required for all the fixes, much like the legs page and MFD display, yet you also see the planned VS, which can be very handy if you have a "between" altitude followed by a speed restriction and continued descent. Obviously, if you are familiar with the arrival, you may already know the speeds by memory/familiarity and not necessarily need the extra info. So in the end, it's up to you.