Right, I tend to use an abbreviated notion of it, referring to the 3-4 months of extremely low HR base-building. My bad.
My conjecture is that at least some people, once they've achieved a decent level of conditioning, may benefit just as much by jumping right into speed work and avoid the 3-4 months of base-building at a low heart rate. Of course one may also forget about both the Maff method and speed work and still get to the same place, it just might take a little longer. That's why I emphasize doing what you like over doing what may or may not be theoretically correct, since only by doing what you like are you likely to stick with it, and what's theoretically correct remains controversial and therefore should never take precedence over enjoyment.
My conjecture is that at least some people, once they've achieved a decent level of conditioning, may benefit just as much by jumping right into speed work and avoid the 3-4 months of base-building at a low heart rate. Of course one may also forget about both the Maff method and speed work and still get to the same place, it just might take a little longer. That's why I emphasize doing what you like over doing what may or may not be theoretically correct, since only by doing what you like are you likely to stick with it, and what's theoretically correct remains controversial and therefore should never take precedence over enjoyment.