Best practices - how to create several maps showing different layers but the same area?

I know about the print composer's atlas generation tool, which allows users to create multiple maps that show the same layers/features but different geographical areas.

What I am looking for is a workflow that would optimize the creation and updating of a number of maps (probably around 10, potentially more) that would cover the same area but show different shapefiles/layers and therefore have different titles and slightly different legends.

Right now my proposed workflow is the following:

1. Load all layers (in the same file)


2. New print composer


3. Select layers for Map 1


4. Add legend, text boxes, title, etc.


5. Save as template as Map1.qpt


6. Export as PDF


7. Repeat steps 3 to 6 for Map 2, 3, etc.

When I need to update the maps I would do the following:

1. Re-export layers and layer styles as necessary (for layers other than the base map)


2. Select layers for Map 1


3. Load print composer


4. Add Items from Template (Map1.qpt)


5. Export as PDF


6. Repeat steps 2 to 5 for Map 2, 3, etc.

What do you think? Would it more efficient to create one QGIS file for each map instead? Whenever I update the maps I have to re-export a number of shapefiles so using duplicate layers and layer groups would not be ideal either--not to mention that it can get pretty confusing.

Thanks for your help!