You can also call the airport ahead of time to have an escort ready. It's the same people they use to help people with wheelchairs, but you don't have to use one. This has saved my but a few times when the time between flights were very short.

I'm uncertain as to your question. Airports function like all other large areas. Malls, government buildings, shopping complexes and so on. As soon as you leave the gate you ask someone for directions, then ask two more people and take the average out of the three, as two out of three people have no idea what they're talking about. Follow those directions and look for landmarks. If and when you feel the directions have failed you, repeat the process. You can always ask for an escort from any security personnel, and that may be the fastest method. Depends on your wait times though.