Choosing an alternate resistor or capacitor in a circuit
You choose the correct value or find a way to get it. That is the correct strategy.

The circuit, when designed, was chosen to have certain specs and so component values were chosen to accomplish that. 

Some components can be generic somewhat arbitrary in range, but others are critical to is operation. How do you know ? You need the schematic or you were one of the designers who designed it so you know what you need. 

Sometimes the value can be arbitrary in a range, but its the component properties that matter. Sometimes capacitors are added not so much for their capacitance, but for their ESR.

So the correct answer, is you find a way to get the right component.