Expectations around workforce readiness and adaptability have never been higher while resources are getting tighter: fewer than one in three organizations plan to increase HR technology spending in 2026; a 29% drop in growth over the past five years (Sapient, 2026).
The 2026 HR Systems Survey from Sapient Insights Group captures exactly that. Drawing from more than 4,600 organizations across 71 countries and representing over 30 million employees and contingent workers, the survey reveals how HR systems are being used day to day and how customers truly feel about those experiences.
In this year's survey, Cornerstone achieved Top 5 rankings in both User Experience and Vendor Satisfaction across Learning & Development, Skills Management, and Performance Management; for both enterprise and mid-market segments. These Voice of the Customer rankings reflect real-world experiences from organizations navigating the same challenges you face.
Rising satisfaction, persistent gaps for the industry
The findings reveal two important trends:
- Customer satisfaction is rising. Year over year, User Experience scores rose 1% and Vendor Satisfaction rose 3%, showing that customers are rewarding solutions that deliver real value and strong adoption.
- But there's a disconnect. Nearly one-third of organizations don't even know that AI features exist in their current HR systems. There's a growing gap between what technology can enable and what is being realized in practice. (Sapient, 2026)
The message is clear: organizations aren't chasing more technology anymore. They're looking for better technology; solutions that are intuitive, connected, and capable of driving meaningful workforce outcomes.
Workforce outcomes are being redefined
Success is no longer just about efficiency or process completion. Leaders are increasingly focused on workforce readiness, internal mobility, sustained performance, and retention.
These outcomes don't live in a single system. They emerge at the intersection of Learning & Development, Skills Management, and Performance Management:
- Learning builds the skills employees need today and prepares them for what's next
- Skills visibility informs smarter mobility, planning, and deployment decisions
- Performance systems reinforce growth, alignment, and accountability
Organizations are gravitating toward platforms that support this full ecosystem, rather than managing each element in isolation.
What customers are experiencing across three critical areas
Sapient commissioned by Cornerstone, created three one-pagers that dive into what customers are actually experiencing in Learning & Development, Skills Management, and Performance Management.
Learning & Development: from compliance to continuous capability
Learning is no longer viewed as a static, compliance-driven function. Customers increasingly value platforms that support continuous, personalized learning; experiences that adapt to individual needs while staying aligned to organizational priorities.
AI is moving from pilot to practice. In 2025, L&D has become one of the most dynamic areas where AI is transitioning from experimentation to everyday use; and the shift is creating clear winners in customer satisfaction.
Cornerstone has one of the highest Learning adoption rates at 5%, with customers reporting strong results in performance outcomes and skills-mapping capabilities.
As one customer shared: "Excellent platform and the app makes it easy for users to search for and complete learning." (Construction, 1,600 employees)
Skills Management: turning insight into action
Understanding what skills you have and what skills you need—has become a strategic imperative. But the real question is: how are organizations actually using skills data to drive decisions?
The numbers tell a compelling story. Current adoption stands at 21%, but budgeted commitments for the year ahead have nearly doubled, from 6% in 2024 to 11% in 2025.
As one customer noted: "We like our solution because it integrates with all our talent modules and provides the reporting we needed." (Finance, 6,000 employees)
Performance Management: supporting growth while driving results
Performance Management is one of the most established HR technology categories but expectations are changing fast.
Nearly half of organizations rank increasing revenue as their top priority for the next 12 months, while also focusing on efficiency and cost control. The challenge? Finding systems that can support both growth and accountability without sacrificing employee development.
The survey reveals which platforms are successfully managing this balance and what customers prioritize when making performance management decisions.
As one customer explained: "Cornerstone took our performance management to a whole new level and automated a paper process overnight. It also helped us to standardize the process across the organization." (Healthcare, 6,000 employees)
The takeaway
As budgets tighten and expectations rise, independent Voice of the Customer data provides an essential lens into what's actually working based on lived experience.
These three one-pagers offer a focused look at how customers are experiencing Learning & Development, Skills Management, and Performance Management in 2026 and what they're prioritizing as they navigate workforce challenges in real time.
