NETIQ CORP
S-8, 2000-05-15
PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE
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<PAGE>

     As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 15, 2000
                                                     Registration No. 333-______
================================================================================

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                                ---------------

                                   FORM S-8
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     Under
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                                ---------------

                               NETIQ CORPORATION
            (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

        Delaware                                         77-0405505
(State of incorporation )               (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

                             5410 Betsy Ross Drive
                            Santa Clara, CA  95054
                                (408) 330-7000
                   (Address of principal executive offices)

                                ---------------

            Mission Critical Software, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan
           Mission Critical Software, Inc. 1999 Director Option Plan
       Mission Critical Software, Inc. 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
                           (Full title of the plans)

                                ---------------

                                Ching-Fa Hwang
                     President and Chief Executive Officer
                               NetIQ Corporation
                             5410 Betsy Ross Drive
                         Santa Clara, California 95054
                                (408) 330-7000
          (Name, address, and telephone number of agent for service)

                                ---------------

                                   Copy to:
                           Thomas C. DeFilipps, Esq.
                    Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.
                              650 Page Mill Road
                              Palo Alto, CA 94304
                                (650) 493-9300


                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   Proposed
                                                                                                    Maximum
                                                                      Maximum        Proposed      Aggregate
                                                                       Amount         Maximum      Offering      Amount of
                    Title of Securities                                to be         Offering     Per Share    Registration
                     to be Registered                              Registered (1)      Price        Price          Fee
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                <C>               <C>         <C>            <C>
Common Stock ($0.001 par value) issuable under:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mission Critical Software, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan (as         4,616,498 shares   $18.17(2)  $83,864,893.50  $22,140.36
 amended May 21, 1999)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mission Critical Software, Inc. 1999 Director Option Plan             58,831 shares   $69.05(3)  $ 4,062,500.00  $ 1,072.50
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mission Critical Software, Inc. 1999 Employee Stock Purchase
Plan                                                                 350,000 shares   $24.32(4)  $ 8,510,570.49  $ 2,246.79
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL                                                              5,025,329 shares              $96,438,053.99  $25,459.65
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(1)  For the sole purpose of calculating the registration fee, the number of
     shares to be registered under this Registration Statement has been broken
     down into three subtotals.
(2)  Computed in accordance with Rule 457(h) of the Securities Act.  Such
     computation is based on the weighted average exercise price of $18.17 per
     share covering 4,616,498 outstanding options under the 1997 Stock Option
     Plan.
(3)  Computed in accordance with Rule 457(h) of the Securities Act.  Such
     computation is based on the weighted average exercise price of $69.05 per
     share covering 58,831 outstanding options under the 1999 Director Option
     Plan.
(4)  The exercise price of $24.32 per share, computed in accordance with Rule
     457(h) under the Securities Act, is the weighted average of 85% of the
     closing price of a share of NetIQ Corporation's common stock as reported by
     the Nasdaq National Market on August 1, 1999, covering 250,000 shares of
     common stock, and 85% of the closing price of a share of NetIQ
     Corporation's common stock as reported by the Nasdaq National Market on
     February 1, 2000, covering 100,000 shares of common stock.  August 1, 1999
     and February 1, 2000 are current enrollment dates for the Mission Critical,
     Inc. 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.   Pursuant to Section 2(g) of such
     plan, shares are sold at 85% of the lesser of the fair market value of such
     shares on the enrollment date or on the exercise date.

<PAGE>

                                    PART II

              INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
              --------------------------------------------------

Item 3.   Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
- ------    ---------------------------------------

     NetIQ Corporation ("NetIQ") hereby incorporates by reference in this
registration statement the following documents:

     (a)  NetIQ's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30,
          1999 filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of
          1934 (the "Exchange Act").

     (b)  NetIQ'S Form 8-K filed March 6, 2000, pursuant to Section 13 of the
          Exchange Act.

     (c)  NetIQ's Form 10-Q for fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2000 filed
          pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act.

     (d)  NetIQ's Form 10-Q for fiscal quarter ended December 31, 1999 filed
          pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act.

     (e)  NetIQ's Form 10-Q for fiscal quarter ended September 30, 1999 filed
          pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act.

     All documents subsequently filed by NetIQ pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment to this registration statement which indicates that all securities
offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities remaining
unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration
statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.

Item 4.   Description of Securities.
- ------    -------------------------

     Not applicable.

Item 5.   Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
- ------    --------------------------------------

     The validity of the common stock offered hereby has been passed upon for
NetIQ by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, Palo Alto,
California. As of the date of this prospectus, certain persons associated with
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, beneficially own an
aggregate of 41,666 shares of NetIQ's Common Stock.

Item 6.   Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
- ------    -----------------------------------------

     Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a corporation
to include in its charter documents and in agreements between the corporation
and its directors and officers, provisions expanding the scope of
indemnification beyond that specifically provided by current law.

     Article XI of NetIQ's Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides for
the indemnification of directors to the fullest extent permissible under
Delaware law.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

     Article VI of NetIQ's Restated Bylaws provides for the indemnification of
officers, directors and third parties acting on behalf of the corporation if
such person acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in and
not opposed to the best interest of the corporation, and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, the indemnified party had no reason to believe
his conduct was unlawful.

     NetIQ has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and
executive officers, in addition to the indemnification provided for in NetIQ's
Restated Bylaws, and intends to enter into indemnification agreements with any
new directors and executive officers in the future.

Item 7.   Exemption From Registration Claimed.
- -------   ------------------------------------

          Not applicable.

Item 8.   Exhibits.
- ------    --------

               Exhibit
                Number                             Description
             -----------      --------------------------------------------------
                4.1(a)        Mission Critical Software, Inc. 1997 Stock Option
                              Plan (as amended May 21, 1999) and form of stock
                              option agreement thereunder

                4.1(b)        Mission Critical Software, Inc. 1999 Director
                              Option Plan and form of agreement thereunder

                4.1(c)        Mission Critical Software, Inc. 1999 Employee
                              Stock Purchase Plan, and forms of agreement
                              thereunder

                5.1           Opinion of Counsel as to legality of securities
                              being registered

               23.1           Independent Auditors' Consent

               23.4           Consent of Counsel (contained in Exhibit 5.1)

               24.1           Power of Attorney (see page II-5)

         ________________

Item 9.   Undertakings.
- -------   -------------

     (a)  NetIQ hereby undertakes:

          (1)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement to include any
material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously
disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement;

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

          (2)  That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

          (3)  To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.

     (b)  Filing Incorporating Subsequent Exchange Act Documents by Reference.
          -------------------------------------------------------------------

          NetIQ hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, each filing of NetIQ's annual report
pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where
applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to
Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

     (c)  Request for Acceleration of Effective Date or Filing of Registration
          --------------------------------------------------------------------
          Statement on Form S-8.
          ---------------------

          Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of NetIQ pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, NetIQ has been
advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In
the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
the payment by NetIQ of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of NetIQ in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, NetIQ will, unless in the
opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

                                  SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
NetIQ has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Santa
Clara, State of California, on this 15/th/ day of May, 2000.

                                        NETIQ CORPORATION

                                        By: /s/ Ching-Fa Hwang
                                            ---------------------------------
                                            Ching-Fa Hwang
                                            Chief Executive Officer

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Ching-Fa Hwang and James A. Barth and
each one of them, acting individually and without the other, as his or her
attorney-in-fact, each with full power of substitution, for him in any and all
capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement on
Form S-8, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his
substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          Signature                               Title                               Date
- -----------------------------      ------------------------------------    -----------------------------
<S>                                <C>                                     <C>
   /s/ Ching-Fa Hwang              Chief Executive Officer and Director             May 15, 2000
- -----------------------------
   Ching-Fa Hwang

   /s/ Michael S. Bennett          Executive Chairman and Director                  May 15, 2000
- -----------------------------
   Michael S. Bennett

   /s/ James A. Barth              Chief Financial Officer                          May 15, 2000
- -----------------------------
   James A. Barth

   /s/ Thomas P. Bernhardt         Director                                         May 15, 2000
- -----------------------------
   Thomas P. Bernhardt

   /s/ Her-Daw Che                 Director                                         May 15, 2000
- -----------------------------
   Her-Daw Che

   /s/ Alan R. Kaufman             Director                                         May 15, 2000
- -----------------------------
   Alan R. Kaufman

   /s/ Michael J. Maples           Director                                         May 15, 2000
- -----------------------------
   Michael J. Maples

   /s/ Scott D. Sandell            Director                                         May 15, 2000
- -----------------------------
   Scott D. Sandell

   /s/ Ying-Hon Wong               Director                                         May 15, 2000
- -----------------------------
   Ying-Hon Wong
</TABLE>

                                      -5-

<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT 4.1(A)

                        MISSION CRITICAL SOFTWARE, INC.

                                1997 STOCK PLAN
                           (as amended May 21, 1999)

     1.   Purposes of the Plan.  The purposes of this Stock Plan are to attract
          --------------------
and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial
responsibility, to provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and
Consultants and to promote the success of the Company's business.  Options
granted under the Plan may be Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock
Options, as determined by the Administrator at the time of grant.

     2.   Definitions.  As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:
          -----------

         (a)  "Administrator" means the Board or any of its Committees appointed
               -------------
in accordance with Section 4 hereof.

         (b)  "Applicable Laws" means the requirements relating to the
               ---------------
administration of stock option plans under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S.
federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation
system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of
any foreign country or jurisdiction where Options are, or will be, granted under
the Plan.

         (c)  "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
               -----

         (d)  "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
               ----

         (e)  "Committee"  means a committee of Directors appointed by the Board
               ---------
in accordance with Section 4 hereof.

         (f)  "Common Stock" means the Common Stock of the Company.
               ------------

         (g)  "Company" means Mission Critical Software, Inc., a Delaware
               -------
corporation.

         (h)  "Consultant" means any person who is engaged by the Company or any
               ----------
Parent or Subsidiary to render consulting or advisory services to such entity
and who is compensated for such services.

         (i)  "Director" means a member of the Board of Directors of the
               --------
Company.

         (j)  "Employee" means any person, including Officers and Directors,
               --------
employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.  A Service
Provider shall not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of
absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the
Company or between the Company, its Parent, any Subsidiary, or any successor.
For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed ninety days,
unless reemployment upon
<PAGE>

expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment
upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is not so
guaranteed, on the 181st day of such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by
the Optionee shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be
treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option. Neither service as a
Director nor payment of a director's fee by the Company shall be sufficient to
constitute "employment" by the Company.

          (k) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
               ------------
amended.

          (l) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of Common
               -----------------
Stock determined as follows:

              (i)   If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock
exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq
National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its
Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the
closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for
the last market trading day prior to the time of determination, as reported in
The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems
reliable;

              (ii)  If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized
securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair Market Value
shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock
on the last market trading day prior to the day of determination; or

              (iii) In the absence of an established market for the Common
Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by the
Administrator.

          (m) "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option intended to qualify as an
               ----------------------
incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

          (n) "Nonstatutory Stock Option" means an Option not intended to
               -------------------------
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

          (o) "Officer" means a person who is an officer of the Company within
               -------
the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.

          (p) "Option" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.
               ------

          (q) "Option Agreement" means a written or electronic agreement between
               ----------------
the Company and an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual
Option grant.  The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of
the Plan.

          (r) "Option Exchange Program" means a program whereby outstanding
               -----------------------
Options are exchanged for Options with a lower exercise price.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

          (s) "Optioned Stock" means the Common Stock subject to an Option.
               --------------

          (t) "Optionee" means the holder of an outstanding Option granted under
               --------
the Plan.

          (u) "Parent" means a "parent corporation," whether now or hereafter
               ------
existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

          (v) "Plan" means this 1997 Stock Plan.
               ----

          (w) "Service Provider" means an Employee, Director or Consultant.
               ----------------

          (x) "Share" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
               -----
accordance with Section 12 below.

          (y) "Subsidiary" means a "subsidiary corporation," whether now or
               ----------
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

     3.   Stock Subject to the Plan.  Subject to the provisions of Section 12 of
          -------------------------
the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be subject to option
and sold under the Plan is 8,795,000 Shares, together with an annual increase in
the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance hereunder on the
first day of the Company's fiscal year, beginning  with July 1, 2000, equal to
the lesser of (i) 750,000 shares, (ii) 5% of the outstanding shares of the
Company as of the last day of the prior fiscal year or (iii) such amount as
determined by the Board of Directors.  The Shares may be authorized but
unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.

          If an Option expires or becomes unexercisable without having been
exercised in full, or is surrendered pursuant to an Option Exchange Program, the
unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto shall become available for future
grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated).  However, Shares
that have actually been issued under the Plan, upon exercise of an Option, shall
not be returned to the Plan and shall not become available for future
distribution under the Plan.

     4.   Administration of the Plan.
          --------------------------

          (a)  Procedure.
               ---------

               (i)  Multiple Administrative Bodies. The Plan may be administered
                    ------------------------------
by different Committees with respect to different groups of Employees and
Consultants.

               (ii) Section 162(m).  To the extent that the Administrator
                    --------------
determines it to be desirable to qualify Options granted hereunder as
performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code,
the Plan shall be administered by a Committee of two or more outside directors
within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

               (iii)  Rule 16b-3. To the extent desirable to qualify
                      ----------
transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3, the transactions contemplated
hereunder shall be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under
Rule 16b-3.

               (iv)   Other Administration.  Other than as provided above, the
                      --------------------
Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee, which Committee
shall be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws.

          (b)  Powers of the Administrator.  Subject to the provisions of the
               ---------------------------
Plan and, in the case of a Committee, the specific duties delegated by the Board
to such Committee, and subject to the approval of any relevant authorities, the
Administrator shall have the authority in its discretion:

               (i)    to determine the Fair Market Value;

               (ii)   to select the Service Providers to whom Options and Stock
Purchase Rights may from time to time be granted hereunder;

               (iii)  to determine the number of Shares to be covered by each
such award granted hereunder;

               (iv)   to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;

               (v)    to determine the terms and conditions, of any Option
granted hereunder. Such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to,
the exercise price, the time or times when Options may be exercised (which may
be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of
forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Option
or the Common Stock relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the
Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine;

               (vi)   to determine whether and under what circumstances an
Option may be settled in cash under subsection 9(f) instead of Common Stock;

               (vii)  to reduce the exercise price of any Option to the then
current Fair Market Value if the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock covered
by such Option has declined since the date the Option was granted;

               (viii) to initiate an Option Exchange Program;

               (ix)   to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations
relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans
established for the purpose of qualifying for preferred tax treatment under
foreign tax laws;

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

               (x)    to allow Optionees to satisfy withholding tax obligations
by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon
exercise of an Option that number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to
the amount required to be withheld. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be
withheld shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld
is to be determined. All elections by Optionees to have Shares withheld for this
purpose shall be made in such form and under such conditions as the
Administrator may deem necessary or advisable; and

               (xi)   to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and awards
granted pursuant to the Plan.

               (xii)  to make all other determinations deemed necessary or
advisable for administering the Plan.

          (c)  Effect of Administrator's Decision. All decisions, determinations
               ----------------------------------
and interpretations of the Administrator shall be final and binding on all
Optionees.

     5.   Eligibility.
          -----------

          (a)  Nonstatutory Stock Options may be granted to Service Providers.
Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees.

          (b)  Each Option shall be designated in the Option Agreement as either
an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option.  However,
notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market
Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are
exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year (under
all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such
Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options.  For purposes of this
Section 5(b), Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order
in which they were granted.  The Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be
determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.

          (c)  Neither the Plan nor any Option shall confer upon any Optionee
any right with respect to continuing the Optionee's relationship as a Service
Provider with the Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with his or her
right or the Company's right to terminate such relationship at any time, with or
without cause.

          (d)  Upon the Company, or a successor corporation issuing any class of
common equity securities required to be registered under Section 12 of the
Exchange Act, or upon the Plan being assumed by a corporation having a class of
common equity securities required to be registered under Section 12 of the
Exchange Act, the following limitations shall apply to grants to options to
Service Providers:

               (i)  No Employee shall be granted in any fiscal year, Options to
purchase more than 500,000 Shares.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

               (ii)   In connection with his or her initial employment, and
Employee may be granted Options to purchase up to an additional 1,000,000 Shares
which shall not count against the amount set forth in subsection (i) above.

               (iii)  The foregoing limitations shall be adjusted appropriately
in connection with any change in the Company's capitalization as described in
Section 11.

               (iv)   If an Option is cancelled in the same fiscal year of the
Company in which it was granted (other than in connection with a transaction
described in Section 11), the cancelled Option will be counted against the
limits set forth in subsections (i)and (ii) above. For this purpose, if the
exercise price of an Option is reduced, the transaction will be treated as a
cancellation of the Option and the grant of a new Option.

     6.   Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon its adoption by the
          ------------
Board.  It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless sooner
terminated under Section 14 of the Plan.

     7.   Term of Option.  The term of each Option shall be stated in the Option
          --------------
Agreement; provided, however, that the term shall be no more than ten (10) years
from the date of grant thereof.  In the case of an Incentive Stock Option
granted to an Optionee who, at the time the Option is granted, owns stock
representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of
stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Option shall
be five (5) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided
in the Option Agreement.

     8.   Option Exercise Price and Consideration.
          ---------------------------------------

          (a)  The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued upon
exercise of an Option shall be such price as is determined by the Administrator,
but shall be subject to the following:

               (i)  In the case of an Incentive Stock Option

                    (A)  granted to an Employee who, at the time of grant of
such Option, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting
power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the
exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on
the date of grant.

                    (B)  granted to any other Employee, the per Share exercise
price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date
of grant.

               (ii) In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option

                    (A)  granted to a Service Provider who, at the time of grant
of such Option, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the
voting power of all classes of stock

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the exercise price shall be no less
than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of the grant.

                     (B)  granted to any other Service Provider, the per Share
exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on
the date of grant.

               (iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted with
a per Share exercise price other than as required above pursuant to a merger or
other corporate transaction.

          (b)  The consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued upon
exercise of an Option, including the method of payment, shall be determined by
the Administrator (and, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, shall be
determined at the time of grant).  Such consideration  may consist of (1) cash,
(2) check, (3) promissory note, (4) other Shares which (x) in the case of Shares
acquired upon exercise of an Option, have been owned by the Optionee for more
than six months on the date of surrender, and (y) have a Fair Market Value on
the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to
which such Option shall be exercised, (5) delivery of a properly executed
exercise notice together with such other documentation as the Administrator and
the broker, if applicable, shall require to effect an exercise of the Option and
delivery to the Company of the sale or loan proceeds required to pay the
exercise price, (6) consideration received by the Company under a cashless
exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan, (7) any
combination of the foregoing methods of payment, or (8) such other consideration
and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by
Applicable Laws.  In making its determination as to the type of consideration to
accept, the Administrator shall consider if acceptance of such consideration may
be reasonably expected to benefit the Company.

     9.   Exercise of Option.
          ------------------

          (a)  Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder. Any Option
               -----------------------------------------------
granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms hereof at such
times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth
in the Option Agreement.  Unless the Administrator provides otherwise, vesting
of Options granted hereunder shall be tolled during any unpaid leave of absence.

          An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

               An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company receives:
(i) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the Option
Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full
payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised. Full
payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the
Administrator and permitted by the Option Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued
upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of the Optionee or, if
requested by the Optionee, in the name of the Optionee and his or her spouse.
Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books
of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right
to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a Stockholder shall exist
with respect to the Shares, notwithstanding the exercise

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares
promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a
dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the
Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 12 of the Plan.

               Exercise of an Option in any manner shall result in a decrease in
the number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for
sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is
exercised.

          (b)  Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider. If an Optionee
               -------------------------------------------------
ceases to be a Service Provider, such Optionee may exercise his or her Option
within such period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement (of at least
thirty (30) days) to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of
termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of the Option
as set forth in the Option Agreement).  In the absence of a specified time in
the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for three (3) months
following the Optionee's termination.  If, on the date of termination, the
Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the
unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan.  If, after termination,
the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by
the Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such
Option shall revert to the Plan.

          (c)  Disability of Optionee.  If an Optionee ceases to be a Service
               ----------------------
Provider as a result of the Optionee's Disability, the Optionee may exercise his
or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement
to the extent the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event
later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option
Agreement).  In the absence of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the
Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Optionee's
termination.  If such disability is not a "disability" as such term is defined
in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option such
Incentive Stock Option shall automatically cease to be treated as an Incentive
Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock
Option on the day three months and one day following such termination.  If, on
the date of termination, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire
Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to
the Plan.  If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise his or her
Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the
Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

          (d)  Death of Optionee.  If an Optionee dies while a Service Provider,
               -----------------
the Option may be exercised within such period of time as is specified in the
Option Agreement (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such
Option as set forth in the Notice of Grant), by the Optionee's estate or by a
person who acquires the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance,
but only to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of death.  In the
absence of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain
exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Optionee's termination.  If, at
the time of death, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option,
the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall immediately
revert to the Plan.  The Option may be exercised by the executor or
administrator of the Optionee's estate or, if none, by the person(s) entitled to
exercise the Option under the Optionee's will or the laws of descent or
distribution.  If the Option is

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate,
and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

          (e)  Buyout Provisions. The Administrator may at any time offer to buy
               -----------------
out for a payment in cash or Shares, an Option previously granted, based on such
terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and communicate to the
Optionee at the time that such offer is made.

     10.  Non-Transferability of Options.  Options may not be sold, pledged,
          ------------------------------
assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by
will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the
lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee.

     11.  Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Merger or Asset Sale.
          ----------------------------------------------------------------

          (a)  Changes in Capitalization.  Subject to any required action by the
               -------------------------
Stockholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by
each outstanding Option, and the number of shares of Common Stock which have
been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Options have yet
been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or
expiration of an Option, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered
by each such outstanding Option, shall be proportionately adjusted for any
increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting
from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or
reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the
number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company.  The conversion of any convertible securities of
the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected without receipt of
consideration."  Such adjustment shall be made by the Board, whose determination
in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive.  Except as expressly
provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or
securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no
adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price
of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option.

          (b)  Dissolution or Liquidation.  In the event of the proposed
               --------------------------
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each
Optionee as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed
transaction.  The Administrator in its discretion may provide for an Optionee to
have the right to exercise his or her Option until fifteen (15) days prior to
such transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock covered thereby, including
Shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable.  In addition,
the Administrator may provide that any Company repurchase option applicable to
any Shares purchased upon exercise of an Option shall lapse as to all such
Shares, provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time
and in the manner contemplated.  To the extent it has not been previously
exercised, an Option will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of
such proposed action.

          (c)  Merger or Asset Sale.  In the event of a merger of the Company
               --------------------
with or into another corporation, or the sale of substantially all of the assets
of the Company, each outstanding Option shall be assumed or an equivalent option
or right substituted by the successor corporation or a

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event that the
successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Option, Board of
Directors of the Company, at its discretion, may choose to accelerate the
vesting of some portion of or all of the outstanding options such that the
Optionee shall fully vest in and have the right to exercise the Option as to all
of the Optioned Stock, including Shares as to which it would not otherwise be
vested or exercisable. In the alternative, if the successor corporation does not
assume or substitute the Option and the Company's Board of Directors fails to
act to accelerate the vesting of some portion of or all of the outstanding
Options, the Option that have not been fully vested will terminate upon closing
of the merger. If an Option becomes fully vested and exercisable in lieu of
assumption or substitution in the event of a merger or sale of assets, the
Administrator shall notify the Optionee in writing or electronically that the
Option shall be fully exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the
date of such notice, and the Option shall terminate upon the expiration of such
period. For the purposes of this paragraph, the Option shall be considered
assumed if, following the merger or sale of assets, the option or right confers
the right to purchase or receive, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to
the Option immediately prior to the merger or sale of assets, the consideration
(whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the merger or
sale of assets by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective
date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration,
the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding
Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the merger or
sale of assets is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its
Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation,
provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Option,
for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option, to be solely common
stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to
the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the merger or
sale of assets.

     12.  Time of Granting Options and Stock Purchase Rights.  The date of grant
          --------------------------------------------------
of an Option shall, for all purposes, be the date on which the Administrator
makes the determination granting such Option, or such other date as is
determined by the Administrator.  Notice of the determination shall be given to
each Employee or Consultant to whom an Option is so granted within a reasonable
time after the date of such grant.

     13.  Amendment and Termination of the Plan.
          -------------------------------------

          (a)  Amendment and Termination.  The Board may at any time amend,
               -------------------------
alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.

          (b)  Stockholder Approval. The Board shall obtain stockholder approval
               --------------------
of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with
Applicable Laws.

          (c)  Effect of Amendment or Termination.  No amendment, alteration,
               ----------------------------------
suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any Optionee,
unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the Administrator,
which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and the Company.
Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrator's ability to

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Options granted
under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.

     14.  Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.
          ----------------------------------

          (a)  Legal Compliance.  Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the
               ----------------
exercise of an Option  unless the exercise of such Option and the issuance and
delivery of such Shares shall comply with Applicable Laws and shall be further
subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such
compliance.

          (b)  Investment Representations.  As a condition to the exercise of an
               --------------------------
Option, the Administrator may require the person exercising such Option to
represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being
purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or
distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a
representation is required.

     15.  Inability to Obtain Authority.  The inability of the Company to obtain
          -----------------------------
authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is
deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale
of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect
of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority
shall not have been obtained.

     16.  Reservation of Shares.  The Company, during the term of this Plan,
          ---------------------
shall at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

     17.  Stockholder Approval.  The Plan shall be subject to approval by the
          --------------------
stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is
adopted.  Such stockholder approval shall be obtained in the degree and manner
required under Applicable Laws.

                                      -11-

<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT 4.1(B)


                        MISSION CRITICAL SOFTWARE, INC.
                           1999 DIRECTOR OPTION PLAN

     1.   Purposes of the Plan.  The purposes of this 1999 Director Option Plan
          --------------------
are to attract and retain the best available personnel for service as Outside
Directors (as defined herein) of the Company, to provide additional incentive to
the Outside Directors of the Company to serve as Directors, and to encourage
their continued service on the Board.

     All options granted hereunder shall be nonstatutory stock options.

     2.   Definitions.  As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:
          -----------

          (a)  "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
                -----

          (b)  "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
                ----

          (c)  "Common Stock" means the common stock of the Company.
                ------------

          (d)  "Company" means Mission Critical Software, Inc.
                -------

          (e)  "Director" means a member of the Board.
                --------

          (f)  "Disability" means total and permanent disability as defined in
                ----------
section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

          (g)  "Employee" means any person, including officers and Directors,
                --------
employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. The payment
of a Director's fee by the Company shall not be sufficient in and of itself to
constitute "employment" by the Company.

          (h)  "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
                ------------
amended.

          (i)  "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of Common
                -----------------
Stock determined as follows:

               (i)  If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock
exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq
National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its
Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the
closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for
the last market trading day prior to the time of determination as reported in
The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems
reliable;

               (ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized
securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of
a Share of Common Stock shall
<PAGE>

be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock for
the last market trading day prior to the time of determination, as reported in
The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Board deems reliable; or

               (iii)  In the absence of an established market for the Common
Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by the
Board.

          (j)  "Inside Director" means a Director who is an Employee.
                ---------------

          (k)  "Option" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.
                ------

          (l)  "Optioned Stock" means the Common Stock subject to an Option.
                --------------

          (m)  "Optionee"  means a Director who holds an Option.
                --------

          (n)  "Outside Director" means a Director who is not an Employee of
                ----------------
the Company.

          (o)  "Parent" means a "parent corporation," whether now or hereafter
                ------
existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

          (p)  "Plan" means this 1999 Director Option Plan.
                ----

          (q)  "Share" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
                -----
accordance with Section 10 of the Plan.

          (r)  "Subsidiary" means a "subsidiary corporation," whether now or
                ----------
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986.

     3.   Stock Subject to the Plan.  Subject to the provisions of Section 10 of
          -------------------------
the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be optioned and sold
under the Plan is 250,000 Shares (the "Pool") (the Shares may be authorized, but
unissued, or reacquired Common Stock), together with an annual increase to the
number of shares reserved thereunder on the first day of the Company's fiscal
year, beginning with July 1, 2000, equal to the lesser of (i) 250,000 Shares,
(ii) 2% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock on the last day of each prior
fiscal year or (ii) such amount as determined by the Board of Directors.

          If an Option expires or becomes unexercisable without having been
exercised in full, the unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto shall
become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has
terminated). Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan shall not be
returned to the Plan and shall not become available for future distribution
under the Plan.

     4.   Administration and Grants of Options under the Plan.
          ---------------------------------------------------

          (a)  Procedure for Grants.  All grants of Options to Outside Directors
               --------------------
under this Plan shall be automatic and nondiscretionary and shall be made
strictly in accordance with the following provisions:

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

               (i)    No person shall have any discretion to select which
Outside Directors shall be granted Options or to determine the number of Shares
to be covered by Options.

               (ii)   Each Outside Director who becomes an Outside Director
after the effective date of the Company's initial public offering shall be
automatically granted an Option to purchase 37,500 Shares (post-split) (such
Option shall each be known as a "First Option") on the date on which such person
first becomes an Outside Director, whether through election by the stockholders
of the Company or appointment by the Board to fill a vacancy; provided, however,
that an Inside Director who ceases to be an Inside Director but who remains a
Director shall not receive a First Option.

               (iii)  Each Outside Director shall be automatically granted an
Option to purchase 12,500 Shares (a "Subsequent Option") at the next meeting of
the Board of Directors following the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in each year
commencing with the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders provided he or she is
then an Outside Director and if as of such date, he or she shall have served on
the Board for at least the preceding six (6) months.

               (iv)   Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (ii) and
(iii) hereof, any exercise of an Option granted before the Company has obtained
stockholder approval of the Plan in accordance with Section 16 hereof shall be
conditioned upon obtaining such stockholder approval of the Plan in accordance
with Section 16 hereof.

               (v)    The terms of a First Option granted hereunder shall be as
follows:

                      (A)  the term of the First Option shall be ten (10) years.

                      (B)  the First Option shall be exercisable only while the
Outside Director remains a Director of the Company, except as set forth in
Sections 8 and 10 hereof.

                      (C)  the exercise price per Share shall be 100% of the
Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant of the First Option.

                      (D)  subject to Section 10 hereof, the First Option shall
become exercisable cumulatively with respect to 1/3 of the Shares subject to the
First Option on the anniversary of the date of grant, and as to 1/36th of the
First Option at the end of each month thereafter, so that the First Option shall
be fully exercisable three years after its date of grant, provided that the
Optionee continues to serve as a Director on such dates.

               (vi)   The terms of a Subsequent Option granted hereunder shall
be as follows:

                      (A)  the term of the Subsequent Option shall be ten (10)
years.

                      (B)  the Subsequent Option shall be exercisable only while
the Outside Director remains a Director of the Company, except as set forth in
Sections 8 and 10 hereof.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

                      (C)  the exercise price per Share shall be 100% of the
Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant of the Subsequent Option.

                      (D)  subject to Section 10 hereof, the Subsequent Option
shall become exercisable cumulatively with respect to 1/2 of the Shares subject
to the Subsequent Option on the anniversary of the date of grant, and as to
1/24th of the Subsequent Option at the end of each month thereafter, so that the
Subsequent Option shall be fully exercisable two years after its date of grant,
provided that the Optionee continues to serve as a Director on such dates.

               (vii)  In the event that any Option granted under the Plan would
cause the number of Shares subject to outstanding Options plus the number of
Shares previously purchased under Options to exceed the Pool, then the remaining
Shares available for Option grant shall be granted under Options to the Outside
Directors on a pro rata basis. No further grants shall be made until such time,
if any, as additional Shares become available for grant under the Plan through
action of the Board or the stockholders to increase the number of Shares which
may be issued under the Plan or through cancellation or expiration of Options
previously granted hereunder.

     5.   Eligibility.  Options may be granted only to Outside Directors.  All
          -----------
Options shall be automatically granted in accordance with the terms set forth in
Section 4 hereof.

          The Plan shall not confer upon any Optionee any right with respect to
continuation of service as a Director or nomination to serve as a Director, nor
shall it interfere in any way with any rights which the Director or the Company
may have to terminate the Director's relationship with the Company at any time.

     6.   Term of Plan.  The Plan shall become effective upon the later to
          ------------
occur of the effective date of the Company's initial public offering of its
Common Stock that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission or
its approval by the stockholders of the Company as described in Section 16 of
the Plan. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless sooner
terminated under Section 11 of the Plan.

     7.   Form of Consideration.  The consideration to be paid for the Shares
          ---------------------
to be issued upon exercise of an Option, including the method of payment, shall
consist of (i) cash, (ii) check, (iii) other shares which (x) in the case of
Shares acquired upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for
more than six (6) months on the date of surrender, and (y) have a Fair Market
Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the
Shares as to which said Option shall be exercised, (iv) consideration received
by the Company under a cashless exercise program implemented by the Company in
connection with the Plan, or (v) any combination of the foregoing methods of
payment.

     8.   Exercise of Option.
          ------------------

          (a)  Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder. Any Option
               -----------------------------------------------
granted hereunder shall be exercisable at such times as are set forth in Section
4 hereof; provided, however,

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

that no Options shall be exercisable until stockholder approval of the Plan in
accordance with Section 16 hereof has been obtained.

          An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

          An Option shall be deemed to be exercised when written notice of such
exercise has been given to the Company in accordance with the terms of the
Option by the person entitled to exercise the Option and full payment for the
Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised has been received by the
Company. Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment
allowable under Section 7 of the Plan. Until the issuance (as evidenced by the
appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer
agent of the Company) of the stock certificate evidencing such Shares, no right
to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist
with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option.
A share certificate for the number of Shares so acquired shall be issued to the
Optionee as soon as practicable after exercise of the Option. No adjustment
shall be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior
to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 10 of
the Plan.

          Exercise of an Option in any manner shall result in a decrease in the
number of Shares which thereafter may be available, both for purposes of the
Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the
Option is exercised.

          (b)  Termination of Continuous Status as a Director.  Subject to
               ----------------------------------------------
Section 10 hereof, in the event an Optionee's status as a Director terminates
(other than upon the Optionee's death or Disability), the Optionee may exercise
his or her Option, but only within three (3) months following the date of such
termination, and only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise
it on the date of such termination (but in no event later than the expiration of
its ten (10) year term). To the extent that the Optionee was not entitled to
exercise an Option on the date of such termination, and to the extent that the
Optionee does not exercise such Option (to the extent otherwise so entitled)
within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

          (c)  Disability of Optionee.  In the event Optionee's status as a
               ----------------------
Director terminates as a result of Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or
her Option, but only within twelve (12) months following the date of such
termination, and only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise
it on the date of such termination (but in no event later than the expiration of
its ten (10) year term). To the extent that the Optionee was not entitled to
exercise an Option on the date of termination, or if he or she does not exercise
such Option (to the extent otherwise so entitled) within the time specified
herein, the Option shall terminate.

          (d)  Death of Optionee.  In the event of an Optionee's death, the
               -----------------
Optionee's estate or a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by
bequest or inheritance may exercise the Option, but only within twelve (12)
months following the date of death, and only to the extent that the Optionee was
entitled to exercise it on the date of death (but in no event later than the
expiration of its ten (10) year term). To the extent that the Optionee was not
entitled to exercise an Option on the date of death, and to the extent that the
Optionee's estate or a person who acquired the right to

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

exercise such Option does not exercise such Option (to the extent otherwise so
entitled) within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

     9.   Non-Transferability of Options.  The Option may not be sold, pledged,
          ------------------------------
assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by
will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the
lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee.

     10.  Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Merger or
          ------------------------------------------------------------------
Asset Sale.
- ----------

          (a)  Changes in Capitalization.  Subject to any required action by the
               -------------------------
stockholders of the Company, the number of Shares covered by each outstanding
Option, the number of Shares which have been authorized for issuance under the
Plan but as to which no Options have yet been granted or which have been
returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Option, as well as
the price per Share covered by each such outstanding Option, and the number of
Shares issuable pursuant to the automatic grant provisions of Section 4 hereof
shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of
issued Shares resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend,
combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or
decrease in the number of issued Shares effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected
without receipt of consideration." Except as expressly provided herein, no
issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities
convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment
by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of Shares
subject to an Option.

          (b)  Dissolution or Liquidation.  In the event of the proposed
               --------------------------
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, to the extent that an Option has not
been previously exercised, it shall terminate immediately prior to the
consummation of such proposed action.

          (c)  Merger or Asset Sale.  In the event of a merger of the Company
               --------------------
with or into another corporation or the sale of substantially all of the assets
of the Company, the Option or option shall become fully exercisable, including
as to Shares for which it would not otherwise be exercisable. Thereafter, the
Option or option shall remain exercisable in accordance with Sections 8(b)
through (d); provided, however, that if the Successor Corporation does not
             --------  -------
assume such outstanding Option or substitute for it an equivalent option, and
the Option would otherwise terminate pursuant to Sections 8(b) through 8(d)
after the consummation of the merger or asset sale transaction, then the Board
shall notify the Optionee that the Option shall be fully exercisable for a
period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and upon the
expiration of such period the Option shall terminate.

          For the purposes of this Section 10(c), an Option shall be considered
assumed if, following the merger or sale of assets, the Option confers the right
to purchase or receive, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option
immediately prior to the merger or sale of assets, the consideration (whether
stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the merger or sale of
assets by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of
the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type
of consideration chosen by the holders of a

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

majority of the outstanding Shares). If such consideration received in the
merger or sale of assets is not solely common stock of the successor corporation
or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor
corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of
the Option, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option, to be solely
common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market
value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the
merger or sale of assets.

     11.  Amendment and Termination of the Plan.
          -------------------------------------

          (a)  Amendment and Termination.  The Board may at any time amend,
               -------------------------
alter, suspend, or discontinue the Plan, but no amendment, alteration,
suspension, or discontinuation shall be made which would impair the rights of
any Optionee under any grant theretofore made, without his or her consent. In
addition, to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with any applicable
law, regulation or stock exchange rule, the Company shall obtain stockholder
approval of any Plan amendment in such a manner and to such a degree as
required.

          (b)  Effect of Amendment or Termination.  Any such amendment or
               ----------------------------------
termination of the Plan shall not affect Options already granted and such
Options shall remain in full force and effect as if this Plan had not been
amended or terminated.

     12.  Time of Granting Options.  The date of grant of an Option shall, for
          ------------------------
all purposes, be the date determined in accordance with Section 4 hereof.

     13.  Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.  Shares shall not be issued
          ----------------------------------
pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless the exercise of such Option and the
issuance and delivery of such Shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all
relevant provisions of law, including, without limitation, the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated there
under, state securities laws, and the requirements of any stock exchange upon
which the Shares may then be listed, and shall be further subject to the
approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

          As a condition to the exercise of an Option, the Company may require
the person exercising such Option to represent and warrant at the time of any
such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and
without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares, if, in the
opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any of
the aforementioned relevant provisions of law.

          Inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body
having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's counsel to be
necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve
the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such
Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

     14.  Reservation of Shares.  The Company, during the term of this Plan,
          ---------------------
will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

     15.  Option Agreement.  Options shall be evidenced by written option
          ----------------
agreements in such form as the Board shall approve.

     16.  Stockholder Approval. The Plan shall be subject to approval by the
          --------------------
stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is
adopted.  Such stockholder approval shall be obtained in the degree and manner
required under applicable state and federal law and any stock exchange rules.

                                      -8-

<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT 4.1(C)


                        MISSION CRITICAL SOFTWARE, INC.

                       1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

     The following constitute the provisions of the 1998 Employee Stock Purchase
Plan of Mission Critical Software, Inc.

     1.   Purpose.  The purpose of the Plan is to provide employees of the
          -------
Company and its Designated Subsidiaries with an opportunity to purchase Common
Stock of the Company through accumulated payroll deductions. It is the intention
of the Company to have the Plan qualify as an "Employee Stock Purchase Plan"
under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The
provisions of the Plan, accordingly, shall be construed so as to extend and
limit participation in a manner consistent with the requirements of that section
of the Code.

     2.   Definitions.
          -----------

          (a)  "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
                -----

          (b)  "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
                ----

          (c)  "Common Stock" shall mean the common stock of the Company.
                ------------

          (d)  "Company" shall mean Mission Critical Software, Inc. and any
                -------
Designated Subsidiary of the Company.

          (e)  "Compensation" shall mean all base straight time gross earnings,
                ------------
commissions, overtime, shift premium, incentive compensation, incentive
payments, and bonuses but exclusive of payments for any other compensation.

          (f)  "Designated Subsidiary" shall mean any Subsidiary which has been
                ---------------------
designated by the Board from time to time in its sole discretion as eligible to
participate in the Plan.

          (g)  "Employee" shall mean any individual who is an Employee of the
                --------
Company for tax purposes whose customary employment with the Company is at least
twenty (20) hours per week and more than five (5) months in any calendar year.
For purposes of the Plan, the employment relationship shall be treated as
continuing intact while the individual is on sick leave or other leave of
absence approved by the Company. Where the period of leave exceeds 90 days and
the individual's right to reemployment is not guaranteed either by statute or by
contract, the employment relationship shall be deemed to have terminated on the
91st day of such leave.

          (h)  "Enrollment Date" shall mean the first Trading Day of each
                ---------------
Offering Period.

          (i)  "Exercise Date" shall mean the last Trading Day of each Purchase
                -------------
Period.
<PAGE>

          (j)  "Fair Market Value" shall mean, as of any date, the value of
                -----------------
Common Stock determined as follows:

               (1)  If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock
exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq
National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its
Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the
closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for
the last market trading day on the date of such determination, as reported in
The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Board deems reliable;

               (2)  If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized
securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair Market Value
shall be the mean of the closing bid and asked prices for the Common Stock on
the date of such determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such
other source as the Board deems reliable; or

               (3)  In the absence of an established market for the Common
Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by the
Board.

          (k)  "Offering Periods" shall mean the periods of approximately
                ----------------
twenty-four (24) months during which an option granted pursuant to the Plan may
be exercised, commencing on the first Trading Day on or after May 1 and November
1 (beginning in 1998) of each year and terminating on the last Trading Day in
the periods ending twenty-four months later. The first Offering Period shall be
the period commencing with December 1, 1998 and terminating on the last Trading
Day on or before October 31, 2000. The duration and timing of Offering Periods
may be changed pursuant to Section 4 of this Plan.

          (l)  "Plan" shall mean this 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
                ----

          (m)  "Purchase Period" shall mean the approximately six month period
                ---------------
commencing after one Exercise Date and ending with the next Exercise Date,
except that the first Purchase Period of any Offering Period shall commence on
the Enrollment Date and end with the next Exercise Date.

          (n)  "Purchase Price" shall mean 85% of the Fair Market Value of a
                --------------
share of Common Stock on the Enrollment Date or on the Exercise Date, whichever
is lower; provided however, that the Purchase Price may be adjusted by the Board
pursuant to Section 20.

          (o)  "Reserves" shall mean the number of shares of Common Stock
                --------
covered by each option under the Plan which have not yet been exercised and the
number of shares of Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under
the Plan but not yet placed under option.

          (p)  "Subsidiary" shall mean a corporation, domestic or foreign, of
                ----------
which not less than 50% of the voting shares are held by the Company or a
Subsidiary, whether or not such corporation now exists or is hereafter organized
or acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

          (q)  "Trading Day" shall mean a day on which national stock exchanges
                -----------
and the Nasdaq System are open for trading.

     3.   Eligibility.
          -----------

          (a)  Any Employee who shall be employed by the Company on a given
Enrollment Date shall be eligible to participate in the Plan.

          (b)  Any provisions of the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, no
Employee shall be granted an option under the Plan (i) to the extent that,
immediately after the grant, such Employee (or any other person whose stock
would be attributed to such Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code)
would own capital stock of the Company and/or hold outstanding options to
purchase such stock possessing five percent (5%) or more of the total combined
voting power or value of all classes of the capital stock of the Company or of
any Subsidiary, or (ii) to the extent that his or her rights to purchase stock
under all employee stock purchase plans of the Company and its subsidiaries
accrues at a rate which exceeds Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) worth of
stock (determined at the fair market value of the shares at the time such option
is granted) for each calendar year in which such option is outstanding at any
time.

     4.   Offering Periods.  The Plan shall be implemented by consecutive,
          ----------------
overlapping Offering Periods with a new Offering Period commencing on the first
Trading Day on or after May 1 and November 1 of each year, or on such other date
as the Board shall determine, and continuing thereafter until terminated in
accordance with Section 20 hereof. The first Offering Period shall begin on
December 1, 1998 and shall end on the last Trading Day on or before October 31,
2000. The Board shall have the power to change the duration of Offering Periods
(including the commencement dates thereof) with respect to future offerings
without stockholder approval if such change is announced prior to the scheduled
beginning of the first Offering Period to be affected thereafter.

     5.   Participation.
          -------------

          (a)  An eligible Employee may become a participant in the Plan by
completing a subscription agreement authorizing payroll deductions in the form
of Exhibit A to this Plan and filing it with the Company's payroll office prior
to the applicable Enrollment Date.

          (b)  Payroll deductions for a participant shall commence on the first
payroll following the Enrollment Date and shall end on the last payroll in the
Offering Period to which such authorization is applicable, unless sooner
terminated by the participant as provided in Section 10 hereof.

     6.   Payroll Deductions.
          ------------------

          (a)  At the time a participant files his or her subscription
agreement, he or she shall elect to have payroll deductions made on each pay day
during the Offering Period in an amount not exceeding fifteen percent (15%) of
the Compensation which he or she receives on each pay day during the Offering
Period.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

          (b)  All payroll deductions made for a participant shall be credited
to his or her account under the Plan and shall be withheld in whole percentages
only. A participant may not make any additional payments into such account.

          (c)  A participant may discontinue his or her participation in the
Plan as provided in Section 10 hereof, or may increase or decrease the rate of
his or her payroll deductions during the Offering Period by completing or filing
with the Company a new subscription agreement authorizing a change in payroll
deduction rate. The Board may, in its discretion, limit the number of
participation rate changes during any Offering Period. The change in rate shall
be effective with the first full payroll period following five (5) business days
after the Company's receipt of the new subscription agreement unless the Company
elects to process a given change in participation more quickly. A participant's
subscription agreement shall remain in effect for successive Offering Periods
unless terminated as provided in Section 10 hereof.

          (d)  Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent necessary to comply
with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code and Section 3(b) hereof, a participant's
payroll deductions may be decreased to zero percent (0%) at any time during a
Purchase Period. Payroll deductions shall recommence at the rate provided in
such participant's subscription agreement at the beginning of the first Purchase
Period which is scheduled to end in the following calendar year, unless
terminated by the participant as provided in Section 10 hereof.

          (e)  At the time the option is exercised, in whole or in part, or at
the time some or all of the Company's Common Stock issued under the Plan is
disposed of, the participant must make adequate provision for the Company's
federal, state, or other tax withholding obligations, if any, which arise upon
the exercise of the option or the disposition of the Common Stock. At any time,
the Company may, but shall not be obligated to, withhold from the participant's
compensation the amount necessary for the Company to meet applicable withholding
obligations, including any withholding required to make available to the Company
any tax deductions or benefits attributable to sale or early disposition of
Common Stock by the Employee.

     7.   Grant of Option.  On the Enrollment Date of each Offering Period, each
          ---------------
eligible Employee participating in such Offering Period shall be granted an
option to purchase on each Exercise Date during such Offering Period (at the
applicable Purchase Price) up to a number of shares of the Company's Common
Stock determined by dividing such Employee's payroll deductions accumulated
prior to such Exercise Date and retained in the Participant's account as of the
Exercise Date by the applicable Purchase Price; provided that in no event shall
an Employee be permitted to purchase during each Purchase Period more than 5,000
shares of the Company's Common Stock (subject to any adjustment pursuant to
Section 19), and provided further that such purchase shall be subject to the
limitations set forth in Sections 3(b) and 12 hereof. The Board may, for future
Offering Periods, increase or decrease, in its absolute discretion, the maximum
number of shares of the Company's Common Stock an Employee may purchase during
each Purchase Period of such Offering Period. Exercise of the option shall occur
as provided in Section 8 hereof, unless the participant has withdrawn pursuant
to Section 10 hereof. The option shall expire on the last day of the Offering
Period.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

     8.   Exercise of Option.
          ------------------

          (a)  Unless a participant withdraws from the Plan as provided in
Section 10 hereof, his or her option for the purchase of shares shall be
exercised automatically on the Exercise Date, and the maximum number of full
shares subject to option shall be purchased for such participant at the
applicable Purchase Price with the accumulated payroll deductions in his or her
account. No fractional shares shall be purchased; any payroll deductions
accumulated in a participant's account which are not sufficient to purchase a
full share shall be retained in the participant's account for the subsequent
Purchase Period or Offering Period, subject to earlier withdrawal by the
participant as provided in Section 10 hereof. Any other monies left over in a
participant's account after the Exercise Date shall be returned to the
participant. During a participant's lifetime, a participant's option to purchase
shares hereunder is exercisable only by him or her.

          (b)  If the Board determines that, on a given Exercise Date, the
number of shares with respect to which options are to be exercised may exceed
(i) the number of shares of Common Stock that were available for sale under the
Plan on the Enrollment Date of the applicable Offering Period, or (ii) the
number of shares available for sale under the Plan on such Exercise Date, the
Board may in its sole discretion (x) provide that the Company shall make a pro
rata allocation of the shares of Common Stock available for purchase on such
Enrollment Date or Exercise Date, as applicable, in as uniform a manner as shall
be practicable and as it shall determine in its sole discretion to be equitable
among all participants exercising options to purchase Common Stock on such
Exercise Date, and continue all Offering Periods then in effect, or (y) provide
that the Company shall make a pro rata allocation of the shares available for
purchase on such Enrollment Date or Exercise Date, as applicable, in as uniform
a manner as shall be practicable and as it shall determine in its sole
discretion to be equitable among all participants exercising options to purchase
Common Stock on such Exercise Date, and terminate any or all Offering Periods
then in effect pursuant to Section 20 hereof. The Company may make pro rata
allocation of the shares available on the Enrollment Date of any applicable
Offering Period pursuant to the preceding sentence, notwithstanding any
authorization of additional shares for issuance under the Plan by the Company's
stockholders subsequent to such Enrollment Date.

     9.   Delivery.  As promptly as practicable after each Exercise Date on
          --------
which a purchase of shares occurs, the Company shall arrange the delivery to
each participant, as appropriate, of a certificate representing the shares
purchased upon exercise of his or her option.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

     10.  Withdrawal.
          ----------

          (a)  A participant may withdraw all but not less than all the payroll
deductions credited to his or her account and not yet used to exercise his or
her option under the Plan at any time by giving written notice to the Company in
the form of Exhibit B to this Plan. All of the participant's payroll deductions
credited to his or her account shall be paid to such participant promptly after
receipt of notice of withdrawal and such participant's option for the Offering
Period shall be automatically terminated, and no further payroll deductions for
the purchase of shares shall be made for such Offering Period. If a participant
withdraws from an Offering Period, payroll deductions shall not resume at the
beginning of the succeeding Offering Period unless the participant delivers to
the Company a new subscription agreement.

          (b)  A participant's withdrawal from an Offering Period shall not have
any effect upon his or her eligibility to participate in any similar plan which
may hereafter be adopted by the Company or in succeeding Offering Periods which
commence after the termination of the Offering Period from which the participant
withdraws.

     11.  Termination of Employment.
          -------------------------

          Upon a participant's ceasing to be an Employee, for any reason, he or
she shall be deemed to have elected to withdraw from the Plan and the payroll
deductions credited to such participant's account during the Offering Period but
not yet used to exercise the option shall be returned to such participant or, in
the case of his or her death, to the person or persons entitled thereto under
Section 15 hereof, and such participant's option shall be automatically
terminated.  The preceding sentence notwithstanding, a participant who receives
payment in lieu of notice of termination of employment shall be treated as
continuing to be an Employee for the participant's customary number of hours per
week of employment during the period in which the participant is subject to such
payment in lieu of notice.

     12.  Interest.  No interest shall accrue on the payroll deductions of a
          --------
participant in the Plan.

     13.  Stock.
          -----

          (a)  Subject to adjustment upon changes in capitalization of the
Company as provided in Section 19 hereof, the maximum number of shares of the
Company's Common Stock which shall be made available for sale under the Plan
shall be _______ shares (after giving effect to the ______ - for -________
reverse stock split approved by the stockholders of the Company on April ___,
1999 (hereinafter "post-split")) together with an annual increase to be added on
the first day of the Company's fiscal year beginning in 2000 equal to the lesser
of (i) ________ shares, (ii) ___% of the outstanding shares on the last day of
the Company's prior fiscal year or (iii) such amount as may be determined by the
Board.

          (b)  The participant shall have no interest or voting right in shares
covered by his option until such option has been exercised.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

          (c)  Shares to be delivered to a participant under the Plan shall be
registered in the name of the participant or in the name of the participant and
his or her spouse.

     14.  Administration.  The Plan shall be administered by the Board or a
          --------------
committee of members of the Board appointed by the Board. The Board or its
committee shall have full and exclusive discretionary authority to construe,
interpret and apply the terms of the Plan, to determine eligibility and to
adjudicate all disputed claims filed under the Plan. Every finding, decision and
determination made by the Board or its committee shall, to the full extent
permitted by law, be final and binding upon all parties.

     15.  Designation of Beneficiary.
          --------------------------

          (a)  A participant may file a written designation of a beneficiary who
is to receive any shares and cash, if any, from the participant's account under
the Plan in the event of such participant's death subsequent to an Exercise Date
on which the option is exercised but prior to delivery to such participant of
such shares and cash. In addition, a participant may file a written designation
of a beneficiary who is to receive any cash from the participant's account under
the Plan in the event of such participant's death prior to exercise of the
option. If a participant is married and the designated beneficiary is not the
spouse, spousal consent shall be required for such designation to be effective.

          (b)  Such designation of beneficiary may be changed by the participant
at any time by written notice. In the event of the death of a participant and in
the absence of a beneficiary validly designated under the Plan who is living at
the time of such participant's death, the Company shall deliver such shares
and/or cash to the executor or administrator of the estate of the participant,
or if no such executor or administrator has been appointed (to the knowledge of
the Company), the Company, in its discretion, may deliver such shares and/or
cash to the spouse or to any one or more dependents or relatives of the
participant, or if no spouse, dependent or relative is known to the Company,
then to such other person as the Company may designate.

     16.  Transferability.  Neither payroll deductions credited to a
          ---------------
participant's account nor any rights with regard to the exercise of an option or
to receive shares under the Plan may be assigned, transferred, pledged or
otherwise disposed of in any way (other than by will, the laws of descent and
distribution or as provided in Section 15 hereof) by the participant. Any such
attempt at assignment, transfer, pledge or other disposition shall be without
effect, except that the Company may treat such act as an election to withdraw
funds from an Offering Period in accordance with Section 10 hereof.

     17.  Use of Funds.  All payroll deductions received or held by the Company
          ------------
under the Plan may be used by the Company for any corporate purpose, and the
Company shall not be obligated to segregate such payroll deductions.

     18.  Reports. Individual accounts shall be maintained for each participant
          -------
in the Plan. Statements of account shall be given to participating Employees at
least annually, which statements shall set forth the amounts of payroll
deductions, the Purchase Price, the number of shares purchased and the remaining
cash balance, if any.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

     19.  Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Liquidation,
          ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Merger or Asset Sale.
- --------------------

          (a)  Changes in Capitalization.  Subject to any required action by the
               -------------------------
stockholders of the Company, the Reserves, the maximum number of shares each
participant may purchase each Purchase Period (pursuant to Section 7), as well
as the price per share and the number of shares of Common Stock covered by each
option under the Plan which has not yet been exercised shall be proportionately
adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common
Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend,
combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or
decrease in the number of shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected
without receipt of consideration". Such adjustment shall be made by the Board,
whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive.
Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of
stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class,
shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to,
the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an option.

          (b)  Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed
               --------------------------
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Offering Period then in progress
shall be shortened by setting a new Exercise Date (the "New Exercise Date"), and
shall terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed
dissolution or liquidation, unless provided otherwise by the Board. The New
Exercise Date shall be before the date of the Company's proposed dissolution or
liquidation. The Board shall notify each participant in writing, at least ten
(10) business days prior to the New Exercise Date, that the Exercise Date for
the participant's option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and that the
participant's option shall be exercised automatically on the New Exercise Date,
unless prior to such date the participant has withdrawn from the Offering Period
as provided in Section 10 hereof.

          (c)  Merger or Asset Sale.  In the event of a proposed sale of all or
               --------------------
substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the merger of the Company
with or into another corporation, each outstanding option shall be assumed or an
equivalent option substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or
Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event that the successor
corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the option, any Purchase Periods
then in progress shall be shortened by setting a new Exercise Date (the "New
Exercise Date") and any Offering Periods then in progress shall end on the New
Exercise Date. The New Exercise Date shall be before the date of the Company's
proposed sale or merger. The Board shall notify each participant in writing, at
least ten (10) business days prior to the New Exercise Date, that the Exercise
Date for the participant's option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and
that the participant's option shall be exercised automatically on the New
Exercise Date, unless prior to such date the participant has withdrawn from the
Offering Period as provided in Section 10 hereof.

     20.  Amendment or Termination.
          ------------------------

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

          (a)  The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time and for any
reason terminate or amend the Plan. Except as provided in Section 19 hereof, no
such termination can affect options previously granted, provided that an
Offering Period may be terminated by the Board of Directors on any Exercise Date
if the Board determines that the termination of the Offering Period or the Plan
is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. Except as provided
in Section 19 and this Section 20 hereof, no amendment may make any change in
any option theretofore granted which adversely affects the rights of any
participant. To the extent necessary to comply with Section 423 of the Code (or
any successor rule or provision or any other applicable law, regulation or stock
exchange rule), the Company shall obtain stockholder approval in such a manner
and to such a degree as required.

          (b)  Without stockholder consent and without regard to whether any
participant rights may be considered to have been "adversely affected," the
Board (or its committee) shall be entitled to change the Offering Periods, limit
the frequency and/or number of changes in the amount withheld during an Offering
Period, establish the exchange ratio applicable to amounts withheld in a
currency other than U.S. dollars, permit payroll withholding in excess of the
amount designated by a participant in order to adjust for delays or mistakes in
the Company's processing of properly completed withholding elections, establish
reasonable waiting and adjustment periods and/or accounting and crediting
procedures to ensure that amounts applied toward the purchase of Common Stock
for each participant properly correspond with amounts withheld from the
participant's Compensation, and establish such other limitations or procedures
as the Board (or its committee) determines in its sole discretion advisable
which are consistent with the Plan.

          (c)  In the event the Board determines that the ongoing operation of
the Plan may result in unfavorable financial accounting consequences, the Board
may, in its discretion and, to the extent necessary or desirable, modify or
amend the Plan to reduce or eliminate such accounting consequence including, but
not limited to:

               (1)  altering the Purchase Price for any Offering Period
including an Offering Period underway at the time of the change in Purchase
Price;

               (2)  shortening any Offering Period so that the Offering Period
ends on a new Exercise Date, including an Offering Period underway at the time
of the Board action; and

               (3)  allocating shares.

               Such modifications or amendments shall not require stockholder
approval or the consent of any Plan participants.

     21.  Notices.  All notices or other communications by a participant to the
          -------
Company under or in connection with the Plan shall be deemed to have been duly
given when received in the form specified by the Company at the location, or by
the person, designated by the Company for the receipt thereof.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

     22.  Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.  Shares shall not be issued with
          ----------------------------------
respect to an option unless the exercise of such option and the issuance and
delivery of such shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all applicable
provisions of law, domestic or foreign, including, without limitation, the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the requirements
of any stock exchange upon which the shares may then be listed, and shall be
further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such
compliance.

          As a condition to the exercise of an option, the Company may require
the person exercising such option to represent and warrant at the time of any
such exercise that the shares are being purchased only for investment and
without any present intention to sell or distribute such shares if, in the
opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any of
the aforementioned applicable provisions of law.

     23.  Term of Plan.  The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to
          ------------
occur of its adoption by the Board of Directors or its approval by the
stockholders of the Company. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10)
years unless sooner terminated under Section 20 hereof.

     24.  Automatic Transfer to Low Price Offering Period.  To the extent
          -----------------------------------------------
permitted by any applicable laws, regulations, or stock exchange rules if the
Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on any Exercise Date in an Offering Period
is lower than the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Enrollment Date
of such Offering Period, then all participants in such Offering Period shall be
automatically withdrawn from such Offering Period immediately after the exercise
of their option on such Exercise Date and automatically re-enrolled in the
immediately following Offering Period as of the first day thereof.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

                                                                  Exhibit 4.1(c)

                                   EXHIBIT A
                                   ---------

                        MISSION CRITICAL SOFTWARE, INC.

                       1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

                            SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

_____ Original Application                          Enrollment Date: ___________
_____ Change in Payroll Deduction Rate
_____ Change of Beneficiary(ies)

1.   ___________________________ hereby elects to participate in the Mission
     Critical Software, Inc. 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Employee
     Stock Purchase Plan") and subscribes to purchase shares of the Company's
     Common Stock in accordance with this Subscription Agreement and the
     Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

2.   I hereby authorize payroll deductions from each paycheck in the amount of
     ____% of my Compensation on each payday (from 1 to 15%) during the Offering
     Period in accordance with the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. (Please note
     that no fractional percentages are permitted.)

3.   I understand that said payroll deductions shall be accumulated for the
     purchase of shares of Common Stock at the applicable Purchase Price
     determined in accordance with the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. I
     understand that if I do not withdraw from an Offering Period, any
     accumulated payroll deductions will be used to automatically exercise my
     option.

4.   I have received a copy of the complete Employee Stock Purchase Plan. I
     understand that my participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan is in
     all respects subject to the terms of the Plan. I understand that my ability
     to exercise the option under this Subscription Agreement is subject to
     stockholder approval of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

5.   Shares purchased for me under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan should be
     issued in the name(s) of (Employee or Employee and Spouse only):

6.   I understand that if I dispose of any shares received by me pursuant to the
     Plan within 2 years after the Enrollment Date (the first day of the
     Offering Period during which I purchased such shares) or one year after the
     Exercise Date, I will be treated for federal income tax purposes as having
     received ordinary income at the time of such disposition in an amount equal
     to the excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time such
     shares were purchased by me
<PAGE>

over the price which I paid for the shares. I hereby agree to notify the
                                            ----------------------------
Company in writing within 30 days after the date of any disposition of my shares
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
and I will make adequate provision for Federal, state or other tax withholding
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
obligations, if any, which arise upon the disposition of the Common Stock.  The
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Company may, but will not be obligated to, withhold from my compensation the
amount necessary to meet any applicable withholding obligation including any
withholding necessary to make available to the Company any tax deductions or
benefits attributable to sale or early disposition of Common Stock by me.  If I
dispose of such shares at any time after the expiration of the 2-year and 1-year
holding periods, I understand that I will be treated for federal income tax
purposes as having received income only at the time of such disposition, and
that such income will be taxed as ordinary income only to the extent of an
amount equal to the lesser of (1) the excess of the fair market value of the
shares at the time of such disposition over the purchase price which I paid for
the shares, or (2) 15% of the fair market value of the shares on the first day
of the Offering Period.  The remainder of the gain, if any, recognized on such
disposition will be taxed as capital gain.

7.   I hereby agree to be bound by the terms of the Employee Stock Purchase
     Plan. The effectiveness of this Subscription Agreement is dependent upon my
     eligibility to participate in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

8.   In the event of my death, I hereby designate the following as my
     beneficiary(ies) to receive all payments and shares due me under the
     Employee Stock Purchase Plan:

NAME:  (Please print)________________________________________________
                       (First)         (Middle)        (Last)


___________________________                   _________________________________
Relationship

                                              _________________________________
                                              (Address)
<PAGE>

Employee's Social
Security Number:              ____________________________________


Employee's Address:           ____________________________________

                              ____________________________________

                              ____________________________________



I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT THROUGHOUT
SUCCESSIVE OFFERING PERIODS UNLESS TERMINATED BY ME.

Dated:______________          ____________________________________
                              Signature of Employee


                              ____________________________________
                              Spouse's Signature (If beneficiary other than
                              spouse)
<PAGE>

                                                                  Exhibit 4.1(c)

                                   EXHIBIT B
                                   ---------

                        MISSION CRITICAL SOFTWARE, INC.

                       1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

                             NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL

     The undersigned participant in the Offering Period of the Mission Critical
Software, Inc. 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan which began on ____________,
19____ (the "Enrollment Date") hereby notifies the Company that he or she hereby
withdraws from the Offering Period. He or she hereby directs the Company to pay
to the undersigned as promptly as practicable all the payroll deductions
credited to his or her account with respect to such Offering Period. The
undersigned understands and agrees that his or her option for such Offering
Period will be automatically terminated. The undersigned understands further
that no further payroll deductions will be made for the purchase of shares in
the current Offering Period and the undersigned shall be eligible to participate
in succeeding Offering Periods only by delivering to the Company a new
Subscription Agreement.


                                    Name and Address of Participant:

                                    ____________________________________

                                    ____________________________________

                                    ____________________________________


                                    Signature:

                                    ____________________________________

                                    Date:_______________________________

<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

               [Letterhead of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati]


                                 May 15, 2000


NetIQ Corporation
5410 Betsy Ross Drive
Santa Clara, CA 95054

     Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-8

Gentlemen:

     We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by
you with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about May 15, 2000 (the
"Registration Statement") in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of 5,025,329 shares of your Common Stock
(the "Shares") reserved for issuance under the Mission Critical Software, Inc.
1997 Stock Option Plan (as amended May 21, 1999), the Mission Critical
Software, Inc. 1999 Director Option Plan and the Mission Critical Software,
Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (each a "Plan"). As your legal counsel, we
have examined the proceedings taken and are familiar with the proceedings
proposed to be taken by you in connection with the sale and issuance of the
Shares under the Plans.

     It is our opinion that the Shares, as or when issued and sold in the manner
described in the Registration Statement and sold in the manner referred to in
the respective Plan and pursuant to the agreement which accompanies the
respective Plan, are or will be legally and validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

     We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the
Registration Statement, including any Prospectus constituting a part thereof,
and any amendments thereto.


                                    Very truly yours,

                                    WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                                    Professional Corporation

                                    /s/ Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

     We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement
of NetIQ Corporation on Form S-8 of our reports dated July 9, 1999 (August 4,
1999 as to Note 13), appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of NetIQ
Corporation for the year ended June 30, 1999.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP


San Jose, California
May 15, 2000


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