For thirty years we have read the influence systems that shape decisions. Today, those systems include intelligent agents. We help leaders read them, work with them, and decide with their judgment intact.
What We Do
We combine network science, AI systems, and human judgment to reveal who matters, what moves, and where intervention changes outcomes.
What’s Changed
Every thought in an AI’s training data emerged from human interaction. AI is not the source; it is the echo. When AI replaces interaction instead of supporting it, the source dries up. We work with leaders on a different path — one in which intuition, tactical judgment, and tacit knowledge are not eliminated by intelligent agents, but actively brought in through them.
What We Promise
No generic AI outputs. No methodological vagueness. We bring research-grade rigor to the table, calibrate every agent against real stakeholder data, and stay until decisions translate into coordinated action.
Harald Katzmair, Founder and Director of FAS Research
Reading Reality
Strategic Intelligence for the Agentic Age.
AI is reshaping how organizations decide. We don’t see this as a tool problem. We see it as a coordination problem — and we have spent thirty years working on coordination. The methodology stays. The infrastructure changes.
Reading Influence
Who decides, who shapes, where the levers sit. Live stakeholder analysis grounded in thirty years of network research and calibrated against real behavioral data.
Sensing Systems
How forces compound, what holds, what tips. Adaptive cycle, cultural theory, resilience research — applied where the situation is hardest to read.
Simulating Agents
How humans and intelligent agents will respond to choices. Simulation that lets leaders test decisions against stakeholders’ likely reactions before committing.
Services
We read the influence systems that shape decisions — where they are now, where they’re heading, how they’ll respond.
Reading the Room
Every stakeholder map calibrated through real conversation with people inside the system. We don’t summarize sources; we read what people actually mean — and what they leave unsaid.
Sensing the Drift
Stakeholder landscapes move daily. We track how coalitions shift, where new actors emerge, when the room is about to change — continuously, not just at session intervals.
Simulating the Reaction
Every decision stress-tested against how stakeholders and agents will likely respond. Pre-mortem before commitment, not post-mortem after damage.
Workshops for the Agentic Age. Where humans and agents decide together — without losing what humans bring.
Compressed
2 hours sprints where AI accelerates synthesis, not human thinking. What used to take weeks now happens in hours — without skipping the depth.
Honest
Agents bring in the voices that are too political, too senior, or too absent to speak openly. Decisions made in the room have already faced the conversations no one wanted to have.
Live
The room thinks together — and what the room thinks is read, structured, and made visible in real time. No more rediscovering insights three weeks later in someone’s notes..
Diagnoses for boards and leaders navigating an age in which intelligent agents reshape the rules of decision, influence, and power.
Diagnosing
Talks that name what’s actually happening in the agentic age — to power, to institutions, to the substance of human judgment. No comfort, no slogans. Diagnoses leaders can act on.
Connecting
Network science, resilience theory, and cultural analysis braided into a single way of seeing. Less about big-picture wisdom, more about reading what specifically is moving in your situation.
Anchoring
Three decades of network research on what actually makes organizations and ecosystems resilient — beyond the buzzword. What collapses, what holds, where the structural strength lives.
The FAS Research Story
Thirty years of mapping how decisions get made.
1995
Spin-off from University of Vienna
Applied network science meets consulting practice. The discipline of reading influence systems becomes the firm’s foundation.
2008
Situation R® methodology
Our coordination methodology for complex strategy work. Eighteen years of in-the-room decision facilitation.
2020s
AI enters the room
AI begins to shape how organizations decide. We start integrating it into our methodology — cautiously, methodically.
TODAY · 2026
The next generation
SituationRoom.ai: an operating environment for the agentic age, developed by FAS Research, built with a dedicated platform team.
Background
Harald Katzmair, PhD, founded FAS Research in 1995 as a spin-off of the University of Vienna. Trained in economics, sociology, and philosophy — with thirty years of applied work in network science, resilience research, and strategic decision-making. He has translated academic depth into operational practice across hundreds of mandates, from corporate boards to government institutions.
Contributions
Senior advisor to multinational firms (pharma, energy, finance, technology), international foundations, regulatory bodies, and political institutions across Europe. His work focuses on the structural conditions of decision-making — who decides, who influences, what holds when the ground shifts. Today, he leads FAS Research’s transition into the agentic age, building tools and methods for organizations whose decisions are now made alongside intelligent agents.
Passions
Father of two. Classical music, landscape photography, ornithology — the slow practices that sharpen the eye for pattern, depth, and what others miss.
Background
Valerie De Icco-Streibel, a Vienna native, is an alumna of Vienna University of Economics and the Diplomatic Academy. She sharpened her corporate leadership skills among others in the real estate sector, focusing on financial strategy at two notable companies.
Professional Contributions
In her current role as Operations Director and Partner, Valerie is integral to our firm’s operational management and corporate communications. Her adept handling of acquisition and operational matters significantly contributes to our firm’s growth and stability, leveraging her experience in fast-paced, high-stakes environments to meet contemporary challenges.
Passions
A devoted mother and avid enthusiast in skiing, swimming, and running, Valerie also enjoys fantasy fiction. Her completion of a half marathon in under two hours highlights her perseverance, complementing her professional life.
Background
Christian Gulas stands out as a distinguished sociologist and seasoned data scientist at FAS Research. As a key partner and authorized signatory, he is a pivotal figure who represents the core values of FAS Research. His renowned expertise in statistics and big data analysis has placed him at the forefront of hundreds of projects since the inception of FAS Research, demonstrating his significant impact in the field.
Professional Contributions
In his critical role, Christian meticulously oversees data collection and analysis at FAS Research. As the leader of the entire data science unit at FAS Research, his commitment to adopting cutting-edge technologies on the edge of data science and proprietroy GPTs showcases his forward-thinking approach. Additionally, Christian’s academic contributions, including publishing scientific articles and lecturing at universities, reflect his deep dedication to advancing his field.
Passions
Outside of his demanding professional sphere, Christian enjoys spending time with his family and has a keen interest in reading, which offers both relaxation and inspiration.
Publication List
Background
Paul Poledna is a true generalist, skillfully combining his extensive academic background in physics, mathematics, biology, and philosophy with a fervent interest in the transformative power of AI. At the helm of the R&D department at FASresearch, he is the intellectual dynamo propelling the company’s advancements in artificial intelligence and spearheading new product development.
Professional Contributions
Paul’s professional journey, enriched by experiences in the Middle East and Africa, deeply informs his work at FAS Research. He has been instrumental in establishing a new generation of AI-infused tools and processes. Under his guidance, FAS Research is positioning its network mappings at the forefront of the AI revolution, marking a significant stride in the industry.
Passions
Outside of his professional realm, Paul maintains a strong bond with his family and is an enthusiastic sportsman. His passion for mountain climbing in Austria mirrors his adventurous nature. His wide-ranging interests, from cooking and music to engaging in deep discussions about life’s fundamental questions with friends and family, paint a picture of a person with a rich and diverse personal life.
Background
Gudrun Hrebicek has been a cornerstone at FAS Research for over two decades, expertly managing the front office and meticulously overseeing our customer database. As the personal assistant to Harald, she is a central figure in client engagement, skillfully coordinating schedules and appointments, and ensuring smooth communications.
Professional Contributions
Gudrun’s extensive tenure at FAS Research is marked by her veteran expertise in orchestrating and coordinating hundreds of projects, events, and meetings. Her exceptional talent shines in both internal and external event management. Additionally, her proficiency and meticulous attention to detail in handling scheduling and appointment inquiries are invaluable, contributing significantly to seamless experiences for both clients and team members.
Passions
Away from her professional responsibilities, Gudrun is a dedicated mother with a profound love for nature. Her passion for the wilderness is evident in her enjoyment of walking dogs and spending time outdoors.
Background
Elisabeth Flügel’s expertise in administrative roles is well-established, having worked in similar positions before joining FAS Research GmbH. Additionally, she contributes her skills to a part-time role in a real estate company, showcasing her ability to manage diverse responsibilities effectively.
Professional Contributions
At FAS Research GmbH, Elisabeth is the Office Manager, responsible for general administration, financial oversight, accounting, personnel management, and project controlling. Her background as an assistant and office manager has endowed her with significant commercial and organizational skills.
Passions
Elisabeth Flügel enjoys an active lifestyle, with tennis, swimming, and running among her favorite hobbies. Tennis provides a competitive outlet, swimming offers relaxation, and running keeps her physically and mentally sharp. These activities reflect her energetic nature and dedication to a balanced life.
Background
Christina Wegleitner is a distinguished figure in empirical social research, with a rich background in managing, conceptualizing, and executing projects both nationally and internationally. Her proficiency in Deep Data analysis is a cornerstone of her expertise, where she adeptly employs FASresearch’s innovative methods to integrate network maps with vital stakeholder insights, resulting in data that is comprehensive, detailed, and contextually nuanced.
Professional Contributions
Her talents extend beyond research, encompassing a keen eye for design. As a design aficionado, Christina excels in transforming network analytical data into visually engaging and easily understandable formats, effectively making intricate information accessible to a broader audience. Currently, Christina is on maternity leave. During her absence, a dedicated team is managing her projects and responsibilities, ensuring continuity and excellence in service.
Passions
Outside of her professional life, Christina is a devoted mother to two daughters and has a deep-seated passion for all aspects of design. This passion for aesthetics and functionality transcends her professional role, reflecting her creative and insightful nature in both her personal and professional endeavors.
Background
Katharina Sacher stands out for her expertise in qualitative research, particularly in the fields of urban development, education, family friendliness, and climate change. At FAS Research, she plays a pivotal role in coordinating and supporting projects in these vital areas, leveraging her skills to contribute meaningfully to the development of informed and sustainable urban strategies.
Professional Contributions
Katharina’s research methodology is distinguished by her use of Deep Data analysis, a technique that enhances network maps with in-depth stakeholder experiences. This method allows for the collection of comprehensive and context-rich data, empowering her to gain intricate insights into urban infrastructures and policy frameworks. Katharina is currently on maternity leave. During her absence, her projects and responsibilities are being adeptly handled by a team of competent colleagues, ensuring the consistent delivery of high-caliber work and services.
Passions
Katharina’s personal interests are as diverse as her professional expertise. She has a deep appreciation for the arts, especially acting and theater, often immersing herself in both classic and contemporary literature. Additionally, she has a keen eye for interior design, showcasing her creative flair and attention to aesthetics in personal and shared spaces. These passions reflect her multifaceted personality and her appreciation for culture and creativity.
