Sapient Insights Group Releases 2026-2027 HR Systems Survey

PENSACOLA, Fla., Nov. 6, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Sapient Insights Group, now in its 29th year, has released the findings of its 2026-2027 HR Systems Survey, which draws on more than 10,000 responses from HR professionals at 6,038 organizations, a 29% increase from the previous year. The resulting 450-page report covers 23 HR technology categories, ranking vendors based on their overall satisfaction and user experience. This year's report stands out with record participation, marking a 29% increase in the number of participating organizations, from 4,670 to 6,038. The larger data set allows Sapient analysts to validate data more strongly and spot clearer trends across company sizes, industries, and regions. The survey adds new areas of study, including Compliance Management, application-level outcome questions, payment models for applications and AI, and finance applications covering Core, Expense, and Planning.

The report also delves deeper into the reasons behind organizations' choices, asking more "why" questions throughout.

Other key findings include: - AI is now cited by 12% of organizations that cut staff, up from 1% last year, though business performance (35%) and restructuring (31%) remain the leading reasons for workforce reductions. - Only 8% of AI users measure AI's value by headcount reduction, while 75% measure time saved. - Executives now lead 31% of HR system selections, up from 25% in 2024, while nearly every change management practice used during implementations declines this year, with the steepest drops in manager and employee engagement.

The report is available for purchase for $1,800. Sapient also offers specific report segments for $500-800 each. The complete Voice of the Customer results are available here.

The 2026-2027 HR Systems Survey report is the longest-running, most comprehensive survey of the HR technology landscape, and the only fully objective, non-sponsored study of its kind. This year, HR professionals representing 6,038 organizations around the globe took part. The survey continues to grow with the HR technology market and now covers 23 technology categories. The annual report includes in-depth analysis of each category, along with current and future adoption rates, customer retention, replacement plans, and projected vendor growth. It also breaks down the demographics of HR organizations, system governance, system strategy and implementation, business and talent outcomes, technology spending, and much more.

Several factors set this year's report apart: - Record participation. The number of participating organizations grew 29%, from 4,670 to 6,038. The larger data set gives Sapient analysts stronger data validation and clearer trend spotting across company sizes, industries, and regions. - New areas of study. The survey adds Compliance Management to the HR Blueprint, application-level outcome questions, payment models for applications and AI, and finance applications covering Core, Expense, and Planning. - More of the "why." The survey asks more "why" questions throughout, so the results show not just what organizations are doing but the reasons behind their choices.

The report includes extensive trend analysis and covers operational topics critical to successful implementations and business outcomes, such as systems governance, organizational structures and staffing, budgeting, and adaptive change management.