War and warfare and their preparation militate against crisp strategy. Yet the strategist is charged with articulating how the use of arms will bring about desired outcomes. Toward that end, the strategist should employ every acting and interacting element within a general theory of strategy. Strategic effect is the elusive result of the strategist’s effort, but strategic function is lasting and universal and independent of the vagaries of time and place. While unpredictability makes strategists of great stature a rarity, for most strategists of at least average gifts it is sufficient to be adequate. Practitioners are left with the optimistic notion that excellence is generally not a prerequisite to victory. They need only achieve sufficient control over the enemy’s decisions.