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2026 FORRESTER RESEARCH

The Future of CLM: How AI Drives Business Resilience

See how legal, procurement, and IT leaders are managing contracts today, according to new research from Forrester. Get the data on what’s working, what’s breaking down after signature, and what these leaders want fixed next.

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Methodology

In July 2026, a commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Ironclad surveyed 500+ director-and-above decision-makers in legal, procurement, IT, finance, risk, and cybersecurity roles at companies with 500 or more employees. Sixty percent of respondents were based in the U.S., while the U.K., France, and Germany each represented 10%.

Four people sit around a table having a discussion about the importance of the contract request stage, two with laptops open. One person is taking notes. Large windows and green plants are in the background.

What’s inside

  • Where companies really stand on contract tech today, and why buying more tools hasn’t fixed the visibility problem
  • The specific things that go wrong after a contract is signed — and why it’s costing companies more than most realize
  • Where AI is paying off in contracting, where it’s stalled, and what’s holding it back
  • What buyers say they actually want next from a contracting platform, in their own words
Abstract illustration of a checklist or form on a pastel-colored background with wavy green, pink, and purple shapes. The form has three checkboxes with lines next to each, suggesting text or options—perfect for visualizing steps in a CLM implementation process.