I have always struggled with the "workflow" concept: I know it is the way to go, and that organization is paramount in establishing good work habits, but I am very much a trial-and-error type of editor.

I do all my editing in ACR and Photoshop, with an occasional boost from Photo AI, which is the only plug-in I currently use at all. I am terrible when it comes to balancing tone and color throughout a set of images. and once lost out on a job opportunity because of that. It's a good thing I never became a wedding photographer, because every shot would have looked different. My experience with presets has been...unfavorable.

I don't do a lot of black and white, but when I do I usually start with a black and white adjustment layer. ACR/LrC has a similar feature under B&W but I have just never used that, since I am Photoshop-centric. (I don't know how extensive this would be in your version of ACR, or if it's there at all). Once I get a decent look, I will go to a gradient map to tweak the tones, and if necessary some Curves adjustments.

I have never put any exhaustive effort into learning to make excellent B&W; but I would if I knew of a course or something that would accomplish what I wanted.