Sorcerer / Sage Healing Compendium (Updated for 1.2!)

[Arulan]

It isn't about how much Force you have at the end of the fight but by how much you use Consumption/Noble Sacrifice throughout the fight. Your goal is to find the best moments to use Consumption and of those Consumption uses make the most use of Force Surge procs. If you can use Consumption less in total by doing this while maintaining your Force at the appropriate amount then you do gain in overall throughput.

This "debate" is very situational. For one it depends, much like Petrus has commented on, being prepared for possible mistakes. This doesn't necessarily have to translate to decreased overall throughput. You can simply use Consumption more (4x + Force Surge proc) during a "safe" (safe can mean a combination of either safety to yourself from dying by being low on health and less need for the raid/tank to be healed) time to bring you to close to full. Then, if the mistake does occur, you're ready, if it doesn't you don't have to waste as much time using Consumption any time in the immediate future (aside from Forge Surge).

The boss in which you're facing makes much more of an impact on how you should manage your Force than anything else. With experience or knowledge of the fight, you can simply anticipate when to use Consumption and when you'll need more Force. Focus targeting the boss among other things will give you an idea of the duration/pace of the fight in order for you to prepare.