Canadian organizations are increasingly turning to AI-powered project management (PM) software to navigate macroeconomic uncertainty, according to the Capterra 2025 Project Management Software Trends Survey. The research, which included 227 Canadian respondents, found that despite widespread budgetary constraints, organizations are prioritizing investments in new features and AI capabilities.
The survey revealed that 57% of Canadian project managers cited AI as the trigger for their last PM software purchase, highlighting a strong bet on technology to drive efficiency and compensate for tightening resources.
AI Drives Investment More Than Rising Costs
The trend shows that Canadian organizations are proactively trying to “do more with less,” leveraging technology as a strategic solution. Over half (53%) of Canadian respondents plan to increase their PM software investments this year. Of this group, a quarter pointed to adding capabilities—such as AI—as the main reason for the increase, slightly outpacing the 23% who attributed increased spending to rising costs.
Canadian project managers expect AI to be most beneficial in the next 12 months for task automation, predictive analytics, and providing insights.
This willingness to invest is especially noteworthy because Canadian project managers report facing higher budgetary pressure than their global peers. Over half (51%) of Canadian respondents say budgetary constraints will be a top challenge in the next 12 months, significantly higher than the global average of 37%.
David Jani, senior analyst at Capterra, said: “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. 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.“
Security and Skill Gaps Present Adoption Challenges
As the use of sophisticated PM software grows, so too do security risks, making it a key factor in purchasing decisions. Forty percent of Canadian respondents cited security concerns as a trigger for their last PM software purchase, and 67% rate security as a critical feature when evaluating new options.
However, realizing the full return on investment (ROI) from AI tools is proving difficult. Adoption challenges remain high:
- 41% of Canadian project managers report AI adoption as their top software challenge.
- 37% report a lack of AI skills on staff.
- 42% say integrating new tools into existing workflows is a top challenge, a figure higher than in any other surveyed country.
These findings suggest that without proper training and configuration, promising AI features risk being underutilized.
Emotional Intelligence Becomes More Critical
Despite the push for automation, the soft skills of project management are becoming even more important. Interpersonal challenges like conflict, misalignment, and communication breakdowns remain the most complex aspects of the job, and AI cannot address them.
The survey found that over half (53%) of Canadian project managers have increased their use of emotional intelligence (EI) since adopting AI. Leveraging EI skills is seen as essential for improving collaboration and strengthening the relationships critical for project success.
The report concludes that PM software is increasingly focused on enabling adaptability, efficiency, and the responsible use of AI, moving beyond simple task management.
