# Tactical dispositions: prepare first: summary

Establishes a position less vulnerable to defeat, waits for an opening and places preparation before engagement.

https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/sunzi/chapter-04-tactical-dispositions-prepare-first

## Source and summary

[Sunzi · The Art of War · Tactical dispositions: prepare first](https://zh.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=%E5%AD%AB%E5%AD%90%E5%85%B5%E6%B3%95&oldid=7906064#%E8%BB%8D%E5%BD%A2%E7%AC%AC%E5%9B%9B)

> 孫子曰：昔之善戰者，先為不可勝，以待敵之可勝。不可勝在己，可勝在敵。故善戰者，能為不可勝，不能使敵之必可勝。故曰：勝可知，而不可為。

Establishes a position less vulnerable to defeat, waits for an opening and places preparation before engagement.

## Editorial interpretation

The example below adapts this chapter’s questions to modern work. Evaluate it against the actual purpose and conditions; ancient politics, warfare or ethics do not establish business results.

## Business application

Before a large launch, prepare supply capacity, support, quality checks and pause conditions; test the expected load.

1. Choose one relevant case and record its objective, available resources, verified facts and unknowns.
2. Compare options using this chapter’s perspective; choose a limited trial, owner, deadline and a measure to assess the result.

Deliverable: A comparison using tactical dispositions: prepare first, with conditions for acting or declining.

## Limits

The summary selects main points rather than translating every sentence. The example is not a demonstrated business method; check it against stakeholders’ conditions and actual evidence.

## Validation question

How does this chapter’s perspective change the selected option or priority, and what further evidence could change the decision?

[The Art of War: a guide to key ideas](https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/sunzi)

[This material](https://sakimyto.com/classics-data/entries/sunzi/chapter-04-tactical-dispositions-prepare-first.en.md)

Updated: 2026-10-13 · v1.0.0