Let's imagine you are in charge of Germany in 1914, how would you conduct the war, according to the Schliffen Plan or make up your own strategy. For me I would keep to the defensive in the West and let the French bleed themselves white by attacking heavily fortified forts and strongholds, by not invading through Belgium, England stays out of the war, I would bring all my forces to bear against the weaker and more unstable Russia and use envelopment and flanking strategy to encircle the Russians as was done in WW2 and knock them out in a quick war and then bring my combined forces against a weakened French defense.
I assume you are giving us knowledge from OTL.
A huge amount depends on the date. In July, I pull my support for A-H, and insist that I pre approve the demands, which will still be harsh, but not cause a war. It will be a minor, but important diplomatic victory for the Central powers.
Once the demands are sent to Serbia, it becomes very hard to avoid war. If I can get A-H to accept Serbia's reply, I will simply counter mobilize if Russia does not stand down. IMO, if A-H accepts Serbia response, it is assured the UK does not enter the war, and France will even have a hard time supporting Russia in this case. I would be open to throwing the UK some additional concession related to Serbia, if this is what is needed to prevent war. I will replace Moltke with Falkenhayn and have him improvise a Plan Russia.
If a war can't be avoided, I will mobilize as soon as I determine it can't be avoided. I am going to be label the aggressor, so why not try to get a faster mobilization than OTL. Maybe a extra 24-48 hours ahead of the French will help. Destroying the French industrial base is a must. I don't know the 1914 battle on a division by division level like some do, so I would simply remind the GHQ to keep the gaps to a minimum and take my daily briefing. I would have the High Seas Fleet seek a decisive battle with the UK on day one, but only at Jutland or closer. The UK will likely seek battle, and the odds will never be better for the Germans. I also go see Conrad/Emperor and try to persuade them to send the 2nd Army east and not attack Serbia yet.
Ok, hopefully nothing is much worse than OTL, and something is better such as we have a little bit more of France, won the sea battle, or Galicia went better. But lets say it is about the same, then we have to do many of the things we did IOTL. Falkenhayn had a good first year. Work on diplomacy to try to keep Italy out (very hard) or get Bulgaria in a few months earlier (very possible). Unless the Sea battle went incredibly well, we now focus on a merchant raider strategy following cruiser rules. It will be a long, bloody war, but if we can keep the USA out and avoid any disaster that did not happen in OTL, we can at least pull off a draw.