Timetable
If you are baking pizzas mid-evening, then either method could start at the beginning of the day and it will be ready, though if you are using the "by hand" method, there will be less pressure if you start the leaven the night before. This is what I do.
If eating late afternoon, early evening, I would certainly start the evening before.
Alternatively, if you only decide to make pizza only a few hours ahead, then use the Pizza Dough recipe with active dried yeast