[Step of Faith] Alternate Strategy

[Zaft]

I don't think the default way is easier to explain either. It is much easier to tell the 2 tanks and healer to stay at the entrance instead of all the pull mobs to the front of the dragon and stun routine.

The default is really quite easy to explain. I even have a macro for it. It looks like this:
(start of macro)
READ THIS IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE STEPS BEFORE
Don't stand under his feet. He will step on you. Don't stand in AOE.
TANKS: Most geared tank pick up adds (spawn by both feet and tail). Other tank on cannon.
DPS: Focus the dragon, NOT the adds. Least geared DPS on cannon. Second least has tower duty.
HEALS: Heal.
CANNONS: Shoot beneath the dragon to hit both adds and dragon. On tower 3 or later, activate snares (orange spikes) near cannons as soon as it lets you.
TOWER: Fire when the ORANGE CIRCLE is beneath the dragon's chest. On tower 3 or later, wait for snares first.
(end of macro)

I mean, that's it. Hit the boss, fire cannons, activate snares, fire dragon killer. I'd say 1 heal 1 tank on cannons would be better, but if it's a PUG, I don't want to risk it.

[Yggberry]

The default is really quite easy to explain. I even have a macro for it. It looks like this:
(start of macro)
READ THIS IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE STEPS BEFORE
Don't stand under his feet. He will step on you. Don't stand in AOE.
TANKS: Most geared tank pick up adds (spawn by both feet and tail). Other tank on cannon.
DPS: Focus the dragon, NOT the adds. Least geared DPS on cannon. Second least has tower duty.
HEALS: Heal.
CANNONS: Shoot beneath the dragon to hit both adds and dragon. On tower 3 or later, activate snares (orange spikes) near cannons as soon as it lets you.
TOWER: Fire when the ORANGE CIRCLE is beneath the dragon's chest. On tower 3 or later, wait for snares first.
(end of macro)

I mean, that's it. Hit the boss, fire cannons, activate snares, fire dragon killer. I'd say 1 heal 1 tank on cannons would be better, but if it's a PUG, I don't want to risk it.

While your explanation is brief and simple, it doesn't address the "What if" in the trial. And the "What if" is one of the problem that people faces and fail the trial. For example, what if turtle elite does large AoE right before snare, does the snare person go back to the cannon and stun it or wait it out? What if the pulling tank dies? Then does that wipe the entire DPS group and lower the dps done to the boss?

My strategy's goal is to take the "What if" out of the picture. Having 2 tank and a healer work on the adds, it makes it safe for the rest of the group to bring down the dragon. After doing so many Step of Faith, even after posting this, I am now convinced that if this strategy is followed correctly, then there would be 0 chance of failing Step of Faith no matter what type of equipment the player has.