---
title: "Relationship to purchase decisions at work — Work data 2026"
url: https://survey.stackoverflow.co/2026/work/data/purchase-power
year: 2026
chapter: "work"
question: "PurchasePower"
section: "Employer + technology details"
licence: "ODbL 1.0 (https://opendatacommons.org/licenses/odbl/1-0/)"
---

# Relationship to purchase decisions at work

59% influence requirements and 48% evaluate tools, but only 18% make final purchase decisions.

Asked as: Which of the following describes your role in choosing or using software tools at your organization? Select all that apply. (`PurchasePower`, multi select, optional, v2026.1)

## Options offered

1. I make the final decision to purchase tools
2. I approve or manage budget for tools
3. I evaluate, recommend, or shortlist tools
4. I influence tool choices by giving feedback or requirements
5. I use tools selected by others
6. I do not have a role in choosing or using software tools at my organization

## Results

### All Respondents

n = 20,042

|  | Respondents | Percent |
| --- | ---: | ---: |
| I influence tool choices by giving feedback or requirements | 11,916 | 59.5% |
| I evaluate, recommend, or shortlist tools | 9,664 | 48.2% |
| I use tools selected by others | 9,131 | 45.6% |
| I make the final decision to purchase tools | 3,552 | 17.7% |
| I do not have a role in choosing or using software tools at my organization | 3,320 | 16.6% |
| I approve or manage budget for tools | 1,867 | 9.3% |

In context: https://survey.stackoverflow.co/2026/work/data.md