To find out, Procore partnered with Dodge Construction Network to publish The ROI of Construction Tech in Canada, a SmartMarket Brief that reveals how adoption maturity directly impacts ROI for both owners and contractors.
About the Research
This is one of the most comprehensive studies ever conducted on the ROI of construction management software. Dodge Construction Network surveyed more than 1,500 construction professionals across North America, EMEA, and ANZ, including 733 general contractors, 461 specialty contractors, and 369 owners.
Respondents were grouped by adoption expertise:
Light adoption: Just started using the products
Moderate adoption: Comfortable with core features
Advanced adoption: Skilled in utilizing most features
Expert adoption: Mastery of the products
(Source: Dodge Construction Network, 2025)
The respondents were asked whether their use of project management software led them to experience 62 specific benefits in four categories–data, process, project performance and business benefits. Across every category, one pattern stood out: ROI increases dramatically with user expertise.
74% of optimized users agree they’ve reduced unforeseen project costs, compared to just 28% of light adopters
79% of optimized users agree they gained a competitive advantage to win new or repeat business, compared with 21% of light adopters
(Source: Dodge Construction Network, 2025)
Efficiency starts with connection
The study found that even light adopters benefit from efficiency gains — from data visibility to team communication and collaboration. Multiple research projects conducted by Dodge have linked these gains to improved project and business outcomes. Thus, even using the software sets up organizations for success.
In fact, the jump from “using software” to “optimizing software” is transformative.
Benefit | Agreement % (Light Adoption) | Agreement % (Optimized) |
|---|---|---|
Improved productivity in field labour | 37% | 88% |
Increased client satisfaction | 26% | 87% |
Improved safety culture on the jobsite | 32% | 83% |
Improved design coordination | 28% | 83% |
These improvements save time, but more importantly, they lay the foundation for every other ROI outcome. Nearly half of all optimized users report saving five or more hours per week on project coordination and data management tasks.
Managing loss & risk: Building predictability
Construction teams using project management software at higher levels of expertise are significantly less likely to face costly delays, rework, and disputes than light adopters, as the table below reveals.
Risk reduction metric | Agreement % (Light Adoption) | Agreement % (Optimized) |
|---|---|---|
Reduced project delays | 19% | 83% |
Projects completed on schedule | 30% | 76% |
Projects within budget | 31% | 79% |
Fewer disputes reaching litigation | 17% | 76% |
The takeaway? Technology maturity helps organizations achieve risk reduction. Firms with optimized adoption don’t just move faster, they operate with fewer surprises, safer jobsites, and more predictable margins.
Turning data into decisions
The findings reveal a correlation between data accuracy and decision-making.
Benefit | Agreement % (Light Adoption) | Agreement % (Optimized) |
|---|---|---|
Improved accuracy and reliability of data | 61% | 93% |
Increased confidence that data is visible and actionable | 59% | 86% |
Improved ability to make data-driven decisions | 48% | 88% |
Increased confidence in real-time updates | 60% | 93% |
Optimized users are more than twice as likely as light users to make better, faster business decisions. These insights lead directly to improved forecasting accuracy, more substantial cost control, and higher margins:
77% of optimized contractors reported higher profit margins (vs. 17% in the light group).
83% reported improved cash flow management (vs. 21% of light users).
The bottom line: ROI isn’t instant — it’s earned
The SmartMarket Brief quantifies what many in the industry already suspect: Innovation moves fast, but investing in expertise increases ROI.
These findings suggest that organizations that pair technology investment with user training, leadership alignment, and process consistency will see the greatest returns, including:
Improved productivity and communication
Fewer delays, disputes, and safety incidents
More confident decision-making and stronger financial results
Get the full story
Download The ROI of Construction Tech in Canada from Dodge Construction Network and Procore to explore the complete set of data, adoption-level charts, and ROI benchmarks for owners and contractors.
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