I use research to focus weapons and armor.  The AI picks the best tech and that works for me.  I very much use a single maxed out weapon type for attack.  Best defense is tuned to current opponent.  It is a blunt force method of focus, but it works for me.  Otherwise, if needed, I manually equip ships, usually because of defensive priorities for multiple attack methods;  

Unfortunately, that doesn't work for defense.  For the non-balanced types, the Designers seems to choose one defense type at the beginning and stick to it come hell or high water.  Might be appropriate, might not.   The AIs seem similarly fixated, though at least they spread their defenses around.  The player is offered 12+ ships - all with Shield only, or Armor only.

EasyWin has an interesting idea.