Faced with limited resources, most Canadian businesses invest more in project management software to unlock advanced capabilities that drive efficiency

TORONTO: Despite budgetary constraints, most Canadian organizations are spending more on project management software to add new features like AI capabilities. Capterra’s 2025 Project Management Software Trends Survey of over 2,500 project managers globally, including 227 respondents from Canada, reveals that AI was a trigger for a new PM software purchase for 57% of Canadian project managers in the last year.

“PM software is one of the most used tools in the workplace today, so it stands to reason that advancements to these platforms can have a significant impact on Canadian workers,” says David Jani, senior analyst at Capterra. “As projects grow in complexity and teams are asked to do more with less, AI-powered tools help manage workloads, compensate for limited staffing, and keep projects on track.“

AI capabilities drive an increase in PM software spending, more so than rising costs

Over half (53%) of Canadian respondents are increasing their PM software investments this year. Of this group, a quarter say adding capabilities is their main reason for this increase, which is slightly higher than those attributing their increased spending to rising costs (23%). Canadian project managers expect AI will be most beneficial for task automation, predictive analytics, and providing insights in the next 12 months.

This trend among Canadian project managers is especially noteworthy considering current macroeconomic conditions that are exacerbated by US tariff uncertainty. Over half (51%) of Canadian project managers say budgetary constraints will be a top challenge in the next 12 months, higher than the global average of 37% and any other country surveyed. Canadian firms are betting on AI to help them do more with fewer people, tighter budgets, and faster timelines.

Software security is a priority for project managers

PM software and collaboration tools store sensitive company data such as budgets, contracts, pricing sheets, and client deliverables, making them lucrative targets for cybercriminals. As AI capabilities grow, so do the stakes for mitigating security risks. In fact, 40% of Canadian respondents say security concerns were a trigger for their last PM software purchase. Another 67% rate security as a critical feature when they’re evaluating PM software. Project managers are challenged with balancing security requirements with ease of use.

Challenges in adopting AI hold back project management software ROI

Investing in AI tools is easy, but realizing its full potential is much harder. Forty-one percent of Canadian project managers say AI adoption is their top software challenge. AI features require staff training, automation configurations, and workflow adaptations. However, 37% of Canadian respondents report a lack of AI skills on staff. Another 42% say integrating new tools into existing workflows is a top PM software challenge in the next 12 months—higher than in any other surveyed country. Without the proper training and set-up, tools with promising features are left underutilized.

The rise in AI puts a spotlight on emotional intelligence

While AI can streamline planning and automate processes, it can’t address interpersonal challenges like conflict, misalignment, and communication breakdowns, which remain the most complex aspects of project management. It’s no surprise then that over half (53%) of Canadian project managers say they’ve increased their use of emotional intelligence (EI) since adopting AI. Leveraging EI skills helps project managers improve collaboration across teams and strengthen relationships that are critical for project success.

PM software is increasingly less about managing task lists and more about enabling adaptability, efficiency, and responsible AI use. Read the full report for more insights and expert recommendations for effective AI adoption in project management.

About Capterra

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Fonte: Business Wire