By making the system more chaotic, these new technologies make what happens in the system more unpredictable. Although it is impossible to predict the state of a chaotic system at any future time, useful strategies can make the inherent instability of the system work in our favor. First, it is important to understand the system as completely as possible not for predictive power, but to plan better for contingencies. What happened to the French in 1940 underscores the need for contingency planning. On a battlefield where small changes can have dramatic and unpredictable effects, commanders must remain flexible, ideally with fully resourced contingency plans that ac-count for enemy responses and effects throughout the system.
Contingency plans are therefore important for maneuver and support units at all levels.
Second, the inferior force may benefit more from destabilizing the system. In France in 1940, a message to one relatively low-ranking commander profoundly affected the defense of an entire nation. By being prepared to exploit such an effect, the Germans turned what should have been a long campaign into a quick victory. If nothing else, this uncertain dynamic underscores the need to take information warfare seriously at all levels. In fact, on the chaotic battlefield, no advantage enemy or friendly is unimportant.