I tell this story to illustrate the truth of the statement I heard long ago in the Army: Plans are worthless, but planning is everything. There is a very great distinction because when you are planning for an emergency you must start with this one thing: the very definition of ’emergency’ is that it is unexpected, therefore it is not going to happen the way you are planning.

Dwight David Eisenhower (1890–1969) American general, US President (1953–61)

Speech, National Defense Executive Reserve Conference, Washington, DC (14 Nov. 1957)