When I ran T2k, I liked rolling out lots of encounters ahead of time-- so many "road" encounters, so many "woods" encounters, and so on. Usually, in the process of rolling these up, I could find something to add to the story. "Hmmm, lots of large-unit encounters on the road this week, looks like the 21st MRD is already moving out?"
One early Challenge mag had a Wilderness pursuit article that included terrain tables, I used to use it to roll up the geography for battles-- slopes, woods, buildings, etc., and sketch out a map. There were also weather tables, and I used them a lot, too. That way, I could determine spotting distances and sometimes, the NPCs' general tactics.
I'd also work out how many of the NPCs were armed with what, and their skill level. That sometimes told me a little more about the story, too.
I used to use plain paper in a 3-ring binder, but now I would probably use 3x5 cards a lot for NPC units or individuals, as well as encounter knowledge.
Sometimes, I used the hex-maps and counters from Squad Leader, in addition to or instead of those from Last Battle.
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My Twilight claim to fame: I ran "Allegheny Uprising" at Allegheny College, spring of 1988.
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