I have recently written a script that can mimic the above-mentioned feature Script: Refreshable/Portable merged view of files in mixed formats + direct[almost] editing/addition of source files + dynamically linked to the contents of groups/tags - #2 by ngan. That is inspired by Scrivener and from the MM6’s transclusion feature mentioned here: Thoughts on migrating from Ulysses - #24 by Bernardo_V.
But you are right that Scrivener makes writing’s workflow easier for its folder-is-note feature.
I use Scrivener 100% for academic writing. The only main issue I have with Scrivener is citation management - if only they can work with other reference management apps to provide add-ins to generate different citation formats and bibliography…!
Another way to mimic Scrivener’s flow is to use one group to hold all individual pieces of writing. Then the user can either rely on naming prefix to manage the ordering of flow, or to use un-sorted settings in DT. Then using the script mentioned here to build a merged view.
I am not saying this will make DT a better writing tool, just that it can be done. Even for version and reference library management if other script is used (such as my stack script that can link each “note of writing” to a recallable group located elsewhere in DT to hold all previous versions and reference materials). The problem is that not all users are comfortable to use custom scripts and the concerns for continuity of support for custom scripts are legitimate.
Disclaimer: I am not trying to promote the scripts but to share ideas. I wrote them for my own purpose (academic oriented) and at leisure (kill time) only.