Is there a complete authoritative choice heirarchy for choosing which automation and customization strategy to use?  For instance I'm assuming the following list is a possible choice heirarchy might look like in order of least invasive/time to implement to most invasive/time to implement:

1.  Validation Rules
2.  Formulas
3.  Workflow Rules
4.  Apex

For example, if I need to complete a task in Salesforce, I would ask myself the question:  Can get the task done with a validation rule?  If yes, then go with that first rather than going straight to writing apex code.  If the task can't be completed through any other point and click means, then write Apex code.  However I'm relatively new at Salesforce and I don't know all of the tools between validations and apex.  I'm fairly certain I got the last one right--that Apex is a last resort.  Can anyone point me to an authoritative list of tools in order?