Oh, I'm sure everyone checks out their info boxes first. They're like little gift boxes aren't they - you can't wait to open them to see what you got

But I'm not sure what they have to do with city management. Not much it seems to me.

The reason I don't move my strategic units first is because I like to see the outcome of battles before doing anything else. But obviously if I am organizing a battle I will utilize an available spy or assassin beforehand. I see that as part of the battle resolution process.

I can't see the point in managing the empire first and fighting the battles last because after the battles are fought you generally have an opportunity to rebuild units, so I figure you might as well leave the spending phase until you see what needs to be rebuilt.