<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.8

April 24, 1998


Sam Spadafora
19188 Crisp Avenue
Saratoga, CA 95070

Re: Employment at Chordiant Software, Inc.

Dear Sam:

Chordiant Software, Inc. (the "Company" or "Chordiant") is pleased to offer you
the position of President and Chief Executive Officer on the terms described
below:

1.  As President and CEO of Chordiant, you will work in Palo Alto, California
    and perform the duties customarily associated with this position, and such
    duties as may be assigned to you by the Company's Board of Directors. Your
    start date will be June 1, 1998.

2.  Your initial base salary will be $250,000 per year, less standard deductions
    and withholdings, paid semi-monthly. Starting in 1999, you will be eligible
    for a $200,000 incentive bonus at the discretion of the Board based on
    annualized objectives to be established by the Board for your position. As
    with all executives, receipt of year-end bonus will be subject to the
    achievement of our annual financial plan and individual management
    objectives. For 1998, you will be eligible for a $125,000 incentive bonus
    based on revised annualized objectives established by the Board after your
    employment with the Company commences. You will also receive a $100,000
    hiring bonus, less standard deductions and withholdings. This hiring bonus
    will be paid in equal payments on the Company's ordinary payroll dates over
    a four-month period starting on September 1, 1998, provided that your
    employment with the Company does not terminate for any reason.

3.  Upon approval by the Board (which approval will be on or about the date your
    employment commences with Chordiant), (i) the Company will grant to you a
    stock option (the "Stock Option") under the terms of the Company's 1997
    Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") and (ii) you will be appointed as a
    member of the Company's Board of Directors. To the maximum extent possible,
    the Stock Option will be an "incentive stock option" (as defined under
    Section 422(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended). The number
    of shares subject to the Stock Option shall be 3,615,300, equal to
    approximately 7% of the outstanding shares of the Company, including all
    outstanding options. The stock option will have an exercise price equal to
    the fair market value of Chordiant Common Stock on the date of grant and
    will vest over three years, with one-sixth vesting after your first six
    months of employment, and five-sixths vesting in equal monthly installments
    during the remaining 30 months. In the event of: (a) a sale of substantially
    all of the assets of the Company, (b) a merger or consolidation in which the
    Company is not the surviving corporation, or (c) the transfer of more than
    50% of the voting interests of the Company (each a "Change in Control"),
    then you will immediately vest in 50% of the then unvested shares on the
    closing date of such Change in Control. Other terms of the stock option will
    be consistent with the Company's Plan, this offer letter and the terms of
    the Company's standard form of incentive stock option agreement. From time
    to time, the Board reviews the
<PAGE>

    outstanding option grants for senior Company executives and may issue
    additional options in the future at its discretion.

4.  The Company will reimburse you for reasonable documented business expenses
    pursuant to Company policy. In addition to your salary and incentive
    compensation, you will be eligible for the following Company benefits
    consistent with Company policy: three weeks of vacation per year, $1,000,000
    keyman life insurance, and medical and dental coverage. Dependent medical
    and dental coverage is also available, paid in part by the Company and in
    part by you, in accordance with Chordiant policy. Details about these
    benefits are provided in the Associate Handbook and Summary Plan
    Descriptions. Of course, the Company reserves the right to modify your
    compensation and benefits from time to time, as it deems necessary.

5.  You will be expected to abide by all of the Company's policies and
    procedures. As a further condition of your employment, you agree to refrain
    from any unauthorized use or disclosure of the Company's proprietary or
    confidential information or materials. You also agree to sign and comply
    with the Company's Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement
    (attached). By accepting this offer, you are representing that you are not a
    party to any agreement or subject to any restrictions (e.g., a non-compete)
    with any third party or prior employer that would conflict with or inhibit
    your performance of your duties with Chordiant.

6.  Either you or the Company may terminate your employment relationship at any
    time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause or advance notice. If
    the Company terminates your employment without cause at any time, (i) the
    Company will: (a) make severance payments to you in the form of continuation
    of your base salary in effect on the termination date for 12 months
    following the termination date, payable on the Company's ordinary payroll
    dates, subject to standard payroll deductions and withholdings; and (b) if
    you elect continued coverage under COBRA, the Company will pay your COBRA
    premiums for up to 12 months, provided, however, that the Company's
    obligation to make these payments will cease immediately if you become
    eligible for other health insurance benefits at the expense of a new
    employer; and (ii) the vesting under the Stock Option will be automatically
    accelerated so that you will immediately vest in 50% of the then unvested
    shares. As a condition to your right to receive any of the payments or
    benefits provided above you agree that you shall provide to the Company a
    full release and waiver of any claims or rights against the Company or
    related parties, in a form acceptable to the Company.

7.  If you resign or your employment is terminated for cause, all compensation
    and benefits will cease immediately, and you will receive none of the items
    listed under items (a) through (d) of paragraph 6 above. For purposes of
    this letter agreement, "cause" means misconduct, including: (a) conviction
    of any felony or an crime involving moral turpitude or dishonesty; (b)
    participation in a fraud or act of dishonesty against the Company; (c)
    willful breach of the Company's policies; (d) intentional damage to the
    Company's property; (e) material breach of this Agreement or your
    Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement; or (f) conduct by you
    that, in the good faith and reasonable determination of the Board,
    demonstrates gross unfitness to serve. Physical or mental disability will
    not constitute cause.

8.  This letter constitutes the complete, final and exclusive embodiment of the
    entire agreement between you and Chordiant with respect to the terms and
    conditions of your employment. In entering into this agreement, neither
    party is relying upon any promise or representation, written or oral, other
    than those expressly contained herein, and this agreement supersedes any
    other

                                       2
<PAGE>

    such promises, representations or agreements. It may not be amended or
    modified except in a written agreement signed by you and a duly authorized
    Company officer. As required by law, this offer of employment is subject to
    proof of your right to work in the United States.

If you choose to accept our offer as described above, please sign below and
return this letter to me by the close of business on May 4, 1998.

I am enthusiastic about the prospect of your leading the Chordiant team, and
look forward to working with you to build an outstanding Company.

                              Very truly yours,

                              Chordiant, Inc.

                                  /s/ Kathryn Gould
                              By: Kathryn Gould
                                  Director


Attachment A - Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement


Agreed and Accepted:

By: /s/ Sam Spadafora
    _________________________
    Sam Spadafora

Date: 5/4/98
      _______________________

                                       3
<PAGE>

                                                                    ATTACHMENT A

                            CHORDIANT SOFTWARE, INC.

                        EMPLOYEE PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
                            AND INVENTIONS AGREEMENT


     In consideration of my employment or continued employment by CHORDIANT
SOFTWARE, INC. (the "Company"), and the compensation now and hereafter paid to
me, I hereby agree as follows:

1.   NONDISCLOSURE

     1.1 Recognition of Company's Rights; Nondisclosure. At all times during my
employment and thereafter, I will hold in strictest confidence and will not
disclose, use, lecture upon or publish any of the Company's Proprietary
Information (defined below), except as such disclosure, use or publication may
be required in connection with my work for the Company, or unless an officer of
the Company expressly authorizes such in writing. I will obtain Company's
written approval before publishing or submitting for publication any material
(written, verbal, or otherwise) that relates to my work at Company and/or
incorporates any Proprietary Information. I hereby assign to the Company any
rights I may have or acquire in such Proprietary Information and recognize that
all Proprietary Information shall be the sole property of the Company and its
assigns.

     1.2 Proprietary Information. The term "Proprietary Information" shall mean
any and all confidential and/or proprietary knowledge, data or information of
the Company. By way of illustration but not limitation, "Proprietary
Information" includes (a) trade secrets, inventions, mask works, ideas,
processes, formulas, source and object codes, data, programs, other works of
authorship, know-how, improvements, discoveries, developments, designs and
techniques (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Inventions"); and (b)
information regarding plans for research, development, new products, marketing
and selling, business plans, budgets and unpublished financial statements,
licenses, prices and costs, suppliers and customers; and (c) information
regarding the skills and compensation of other employees of the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood that, at all such times, I am
free to use information which is generally known in the trade or industry, which
is not gained as result of a breach of this Agreement, and my own, skill,
knowledge, know-how and experience to whatever extent and in whichever way I
wish.

     1.3 Third Party Information. I understand, in addition, that the Company
has received and in the future will receive from third parties confidential or
proprietary information ("Third Party Information") subject to a duty on the
Company's part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it
only for certain limited purposes. During the term of my employment and
thereafter, I will hold Third Party Information in the strictest confidence and
will not disclose to anyone (other than Company personnel who need to know such
information in connection with their work for the Company) or use, except in
connection with my work for the Company, Third Party Information unless
expressly authorized by an officer of the Company in writing.

     1.4 No Improper Use of Information of Prior Employers and Others. During my
employment by the Company I will not improperly use or disclose any confidential
information or trade secrets, if any, of any former employer or any other person
to whom I have an obligation of confidentiality, and I will not bring onto the
premises of the Company any unpublished documents or any property belonging to
any former employer or any other person to whom I have an obligation of
confidentiality unless consented to in writing by that former employer or
person. I will use in the performance of my duties only information which is
generally known and used by persons with training and experience comparable to
my own, which is common knowledge in the industry or otherwise legally in the
public domain, or which is otherwise provided or developed by the Company.

2.   ASSIGNMENT OF INVENTIONS.

     2.1 Proprietary Rights. The term "Proprietary Rights" shall mean all trade
secret, patent, copyright, mask work and other intellectual property rights
throughout the world.

     2.2 Prior Inventions. Inventions, if any, patented or unpatented, which I
made prior to the commencement of my employment with the Company are excluded
from the scope of this Agreement. To preclude any possible uncertainty, I have
set forth on Exhibit B (Previous Inventions) attached hereto a
<PAGE>

complete list of all Inventions that I have, alone or jointly with others,
conceived, developed or reduced to practice or caused to be conceived, developed
or reduced to practice prior to the commencement of my employment with the
Company, that I consider to be my property or the property of third parties and
that I wish to have excluded from the scope of this Agreement (collectively
referred to as "Prior Inventions"). If disclosure of any such Prior Invention
would cause me to violate any prior confidentiality agreement, I understand that
I am not to list such Prior Inventions in Exhibit B but am only to disclose a
cursory name for each such invention, a listing of the party(ies) to whom it
belongs and the fact that full disclosure as to such inventions has not been
made for that reason. A space is provided on Exhibit B for such purpose. If no
such disclosure is attached, I represent that there are no Prior Inventions. If,
in the course of my employment with the Company, I incorporate a Prior Invention
into a Company product, process or machine, the Company is hereby granted and
shall have a nonexclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide
license (with rights to sublicense through multiple tiers of sublicensees) to
make, have made, modify, use and sell such Prior Invention. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, I agree that I will not incorporate, or permit to be incorporated,
Prior Inventions in any Company Inventions without the Company's prior written
consent.

     2.3 Assignment of Inventions. Subject to Sections 2.4, and 2.6, I hereby
assign and agree to assign in the future (when any such Inventions or
Proprietary Rights are first reduced to practice or first fixed in a tangible
medium, as applicable) to the Company all my right, title and interest in and to
any and all Inventions (and all Proprietary Rights with respect thereto) whether
or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar statutes, made or
conceived or reduced to practice or learned by me, either alone or jointly with
others, during the period of my employment with the Company. Inventions assigned
to the Company, or to a third party as directed by the Company pursuant to this
Section 2, are hereinafter referred to as "Company Inventions."

     2.4 Nonassignable Inventions. This Agreement does not apply to an Invention
which qualifies fully as a nonassignable Invention under Section 2870 of the
California Labor Code (hereinafter "Section 2870"). I have reviewed the
notification on Exhibit A (Limited Exclusion Notification) and agree that my
signature acknowledges receipt of the notification.

     2.5 Obligation to Keep Company Informed. During the period of my employment
and for six (6) months after termination of my employment with the Company, I
will promptly disclose to the Company fully and in writing all Inventions
authored, conceived or reduced to practice by me, either alone or jointly with
others. In addition, I will promptly disclose to the Company all patent
applications filed by me or on my behalf within a year after termination of
employment. At the time of each such disclosure, I will advise the Company in
writing of any Inventions that I believe fully qualify for protection under
Section 2870; and I will at that time provide to the Company in writing all
evidence necessary to substantiate that belief. The Company will keep in
confidence and will not use for any purpose or disclose to third parties without
my consent any confidential information disclosed in writing to the Company
pursuant to this Agreement relating to Inventions that qualify fully for
protection under the provisions of Section 2870. I will preserve the
confidentiality of any Invention that does not fully qualify for protection
under Section 2870.

     2.6 Government or Third Party. I also agree to assign all my right, title
and interest in and to any particular Company Invention to a third party,
including without limitation the United States, as directed by the Company.

     2.7 Works for Hire. I acknowledge that all original works of authorship
which are made by me (solely or jointly with others) within the scope of my
employment and which are protectable by copyright are "works made for hire,"
pursuant to United States Copyright Act (17 U.S.C., Section 101).

     2.8 Enforcement of Proprietary Rights. I will assist the Company in every
proper way to obtain, and from time to time enforce, United States and foreign
Proprietary Rights relating to Company Inventions in any and all countries. To
that end I will execute, verify and deliver such documents and perform such
other acts (including appearances as a witness) as the Company may reasonably
request for use in applying for, obtaining, perfecting, evidencing, sustaining
and enforcing such Proprietary Rights and the assignment thereof. In addition, I
will execute, verify and deliver assignments of such Proprietary Rights to the
Company or its designee. My obligation to assist the Company with respect to
Proprietary Rights relating to such Company Inventions in any and all countries
shall continue beyond the termination of my employment, but the Company shall
compensate me at a reasonable rate after my
<PAGE>

termination for the time actually spent by me at the Company's request on such
assistance.

In the event the Company is unable for any reason,  after reasonable  effort, to
secure my  signature  on any  document  needed in  connection  with the  actions
specified in the preceding paragraph, I hereby irrevocably designate and appoint
the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as my agent and attorney
in fact,  which  appointment  is coupled with an interest,  to act for and in my
behalf  to  execute,  verify  and file any such  documents  and to do all  other
lawfully permitted acts to further the purposes of the preceding  paragraph with
the same  legal  force  and  effect  as if  executed  by me. I hereby  waive and
quitclaim to the Company any and all claims, of any nature  whatsoever,  which I
now or may hereafter have for  infringement of any  Proprietary  Rights assigned
hereunder to the Company.

3.  RECORDS. I agree to keep and maintain adequate and current records (in the
form of notes, sketches, drawings and in any other form that may be required by
the Company) of all Proprietary Information developed by me and all Inventions
made by me during the period of my employment at the Company, which records
shall be available to and remain the sole property of the Company at all times.

4.  ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES. I agree that during the period of my employment by
the Company I will not, without the Company's express written consent, engage in
any employment or business activity which is competitive with, or would
otherwise conflict with, my employment by the Company. I agree further that for
the period of my employment by the Company and for one (l) year after the date
of termination of my employment with the Company I will not induce any employee
of the Company to leave the employ of the Company. I agree further that for the
period of my employment with the Company and for one (1) year after the date of
termination of my employment with the Company, I will not solicit the business
of any client or customer of the Company (other than on behalf of the Company).

5.  NO CONFLICTING OBLIGATION. I represent that my performance of all the terms
of this Agreement and as an employee of the Company does not and will not breach
any agreement to keep in confidence information acquired by me in confidence or
in trust prior to my employment by the Company. I have not entered into, and I
agree I will not enter into, any agreement either written or oral in conflict
herewith.

6.  RETURN OF COMPANY DOCUMENTS. When I leave the employ of the Company, I will
deliver to the Company any and all drawings, notes, memoranda, specifications,
devices, formulas, and documents, together with all copies thereof, and any
other material containing or disclosing any Company Inventions, Third Party
Information or Proprietary Information of the Company. I further agree that any
property situated on the Company's premises and owned by the Company, including
disks and other storage media, filing cabinets or other work areas, is subject
to inspection by Company personnel at any time with or without notice. Prior to
leaving, I will cooperate with the Company in completing and signing the
Company's termination statement.

7.  LEGAL AND EQUITABLE REMEDIES. Because my services are personal and unique
and because I may have access to and become acquainted with the Proprietary
Information of the Company, the Company shall have the right to enforce this
Agreement and any of its provisions by injunction, specific performance or other
equitable relief, without bond and without prejudice to any other rights and
remedies that the Company may have for a breach of this Agreement.

8.  NOTICES. Any notices required or permitted hereunder shall be given to the
appropriate party at the address specified below or at such other address as the
party shall specify in writing. Such notice shall be deemed given upon personal
delivery to the appropriate address or if sent by certified or registered mail,
three (3) days after the date of mailing.

9.  NOTIFICATION OF NEW EMPLOYER. In the event that I leave the employ of the
Company, I hereby consent to the notification of my new employer of my rights
and obligations under this Agreement.

10. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

     10.1 Governing Law; Consent to Personal Jurisdiction. This Agreement will
be governed by and construed according to the laws of the State of California,
as such laws are applied to agreements entered into and to be performed entirely
within California between California residents. I hereby expressly consent to
the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Santa Clara
County, California for any lawsuit filed there against me by Company arising
from or related to this Agreement.
<PAGE>

     10.2 Severability. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in
this Agreement shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability
shall not affect the other provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement
shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had
never been contained herein. If moreover, any one or more of the provisions
contained in this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be excessively broad
as to duration, geographical scope, activity or subject, it shall be construed
by limiting and reducing it, so as to be enforceable to the extent compatible
with the applicable law as it shall then appear.

     10.3 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement will be binding upon my heirs,
executors, administrators and other legal representatives and will be for the
benefit of the Company, its successors, and its assigns.

     10.4 Survival. The provisions of this Agreement shall survive the
termination of my employment and the assignment of this Agreement by the Company
to any successor in interest or other assignee.

     10.5 Employment. I agree and understand that nothing in this Agreement
shall confer any right with respect to continuation of employment by the
Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with my right or the Company's right
to terminate my employment at any time, with or without cause.

     10.6 Waiver. No waiver by the Company of any breach of this Agreement shall
be a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach. No waiver by the Company of
any right under this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of any other
right. The Company shall not be required to give notice to enforce strict
adherence to all terms of this Agreement.

     10.7 Entire Agreement. The obligations pursuant to Sections 1 and 2 of this
Agreement shall apply to any time during which I was previously employed, or am
in the future employed, by the Company as a consultant if no other agreement
governs nondisclosure and assignment of inventions during such period. This
Agreement is the final, complete and exclusive agreement of the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and merges all prior
discussions between us. No modification of or amendment to this Agreement, nor
any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, will be effective unless in
writing and signed by the party to be charged. Any subsequent change or changes
in my duties, salary or compensation will not affect the validity or scope of
this Agreement.

     This Agreement shall be effective as of the first day of my employment with
the Company, namely: _______________, 19__.

     I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY AND UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS. I HAVE
COMPLETELY FILLED OUT EXHIBIT B TO THIS AGREEMENT.

Dated:  ___________


_______________________________________
(Signature)

_______________________________________
(Printed Name)


ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO:

CHORDIANT SOFTWARE, INC.


By:____________________________________

Title:_________________________________

_______________________________________
(Address)

_______________________________________

Dated: _______
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                         LIMITED EXCLUSION NOTIFICATION


     THIS IS TO NOTIFY you in accordance with Section 2872 of the California
Labor Code that the  foregoing  Agreement  between you and the Company  does not
require you to assign or offer to assign to the Company any  invention  that you
developed  entirely  on your own time  without  using the  Company's  equipment,
supplies,  facilities or trade secret  information  except for those  inventions
that either:

     1. Relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the
invention to the Company's business, or actual or demonstrably anticipated
research or development of the Company;

     2. Result from any work performed by you for the Company.

     To the extent a provision in the foregoing Agreement purports to require
you to assign an invention otherwise excluded from the preceding paragraph, the
provision is against the public policy of this state and is unenforceable.

     This limited exclusion does not apply to any patent or invention covered by
a contract between the Company and the United States or any of its agencies
requiring full title to such patent or invention to be in the United States.

     I ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT of a copy of this notification.

                                            By:_________________________________
                                               (PRINTED NAME OF EMPLOYEE)

                                            Date:_______________________________
WITNESSED BY:


_______________________________________
(PRINTED NAME OF REPRESENTATIVE)
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT B

TO:       CHORDIANT SOFTWARE, INC.

FROM:     ________________________

DATE:     ________________________

SUBJECT:  Previous Inventions


1.  Except as listed in Section 2 below, the following is a complete list of all
inventions or improvements relevant to the subject matter of my employment by
CHORDIANT SOFTWARE, INC. (the "Company") that have been made or conceived or
first reduced to practice by me alone or jointly with others prior to my
engagement by the Company:


    [_]   No inventions or improvements.

    [_]   See below:

          ______________________________________________________________________

          ______________________________________________________________________

          ______________________________________________________________________

    [_]   Additional sheets attached.

     2. Due to a prior confidentiality agreement, I cannot complete the
disclosure under Section 1 above with respect to inventions or improvements
generally listed below, the proprietary rights and duty of confidentiality with
respect to which I owe to the following party(ies):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Invention or Improvement           Party(ies)               Relationship
<S>                                    <C>                      <C>

1.   ______________________            _______________          ________________

2.   ______________________            _______________          ________________

3.   ______________________            _______________          ________________
</TABLE>

[_]  Additional sheets attached.