Gurugram, India, September 24, 2025 : Indian organisations are rapidly adopting AI capabilities in
project management (PM) software, fueling increased investment and innovation,
despite ongoing challenges related to security and workforce readiness,
according to new findings from Capterra’s 2025 Project
Management Software Trends Survey. The survey, which includes insights from
216 Indian project managers as part of a global study of over 2,500
professionals, reveals that 75% of Indian respondents cited the desire to add
AI features as their primary reason for purchasing new PM software.
“AI is clearly showing signs of complexity for
Indian organisations, with demand and implementation rates often outpacing
effective execution. To ensure safe and efficient use of AI in project
management software, organisations must establish a clear adoption strategy and
proactively prepare their workforce. Without a structured approach, adopting AI
too quickly can create operational challenges and inefficiencies, undermining
the very productivity gains that organisations seek to achieve.” says
Andrew Blair, analyst of the study.
The survey reveals several key trends among Indian PM
professionals:
·
AI as a primary purchase
driver: Three-quarters (75%) of Indian buyers
identified adding AI functionality as the top trigger for their latest PM
software investment. AI functionality—such as predictive analytics, workflow
automation, and intelligent scheduling—as the top trigger for their latest
software investment
·
Rising spend on expanded
capabilities: Nearly 80% of Indian
organisations are increasing their PM software budgets in 2025, the highest
share globally, predominantly to acquire new tools, expand functionality (28%
of spend increase), and access enhanced services (18%) rather than just to
cover rising costs or add users.
·
Security at the
forefront: With SaaS tools handling sensitive
budgets, contracts, and client data, 71% ranked security as a critical
criterion, and 58% reported making purchases triggered by security
concerns.
·
Adoption and skills
challenges: Over half (58%) of Indian PMs
report adoption difficulties with AI features, citing gaps in staff skills
(43%), challenges integrating tools into existing workflows (39%), and
inadequate onboarding and training processes. This adoption gap poses a major
barrier to realising AI’s full potential and ROI.
·
Emotional intelligence gains
importance: While AI accelerates workflows, 87% of
Indian PMs say they have increased their use of emotional intelligence to
navigate interpersonal challenges that technology cannot resolve.
·
Growing trend toward hybrid
methodologies: Reflecting evolving project complexity,
37% of Indian respondents reported using hybrid PM methodologies combining
Agile, Waterfall, and custom approaches to suit dynamic project
environments.
As AI-powered PM solutions grow more sophisticated,
Indian businesses are placing heightened emphasis on intelligent automation,
responsible AI use, and strong cybersecurity practices. Yet, realising the full
value of these investments requires addressing training and integration
hurdles. Experts recommend selecting software with transparent AI capabilities,
comprehensive onboarding programs, and robust security features.
About Capterra
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organizations find the right software solutions. With over 2 million verified
user reviews spanning more than 1,000 software categories, Capterra offers
critical insights to support better business decisions.
