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                                                                    Exhibit 10.3

                             SECURED PROMISSORY NOTE

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Jeffrey R. Rodek ("Mr. Rodek"), hereby promises to
pay Hyperion Solutions Corporation (the "Holder") the sum of One Million Dollars
($1,000,000.00) plus interest thereon.


         SECTION 1. MATURITY. All principal and interest payable under this Note
shall be due on the earlier to occur of (i) the date thirty (30) days following
the termination of Mr. Rodek's service as an employee or director of, or
consultant to, Holder or one of Holder's subsidiaries and (ii) October 11, 2005
(the "Maturity Date"). Upon payment in full of all principal and interest
payable hereunder, this Note shall be surrendered to Mr. Rodek for cancellation.


         SECTION 2. INTEREST. Interest on the outstanding principal amount shall
be cumulative, accrue at the rate of 6.02% per annum and be paid in cash.


         SECTION 3. DEFAULT. The failure by Mr. Rodek to pay all principal and
interest payable hereunder within ten (10) business days of the Maturity Date
when the same shall have become due and payable shall constitute an event of
default ("Event of Default"):


         SECTION 4. ACCELERATION. Upon an Event of Default, all principal and
interest payable hereunder shall become immediately due and payable to Holder.


         SECTION 5. ENFORCEMENT COSTS. Mr. Rodek shall pay all expenses,
including attorneys' fees, reasonably incurred by Holder in the preservation,
realization, enforcement or exercise of any of Holder's rights under this Note.


         SECTION 6. WAIVER. Presentment, protest, notice of protest, notice of
dishonor, and notice of nonpayment are waived with respect to any proceeds to
which Holder is entitled hereunder, and any rights to direct the application of
payments for security for indebtedness of Mr. Rodek hereunder, and any right to
require proceedings against others or to require exhaustion of security, are
waived.


         SECTION 7. NOTICES. Any notice required to be given or delivered to Mr.
Rodek shall be in writing and addressed to Mr. Rodek at the address set forth
below his name on the signature line of this Note or to such superseding address
as given to Holder in writing by Mr. Rodek.


         Any notice required to be given or delivered to Holder under the terms
of this Note shall be in writing and addressed to Holder at the following
address:

                  Hyperion Solutions Corporation
                  1344 Crossman Avenue
                  Sunnyvale, California 94089
                  Attention:  Larry J. Braverman, General Counsel


All notices shall be deemed effective upon personal delivery or upon deposit in
the U.S. mail, postage prepaid and properly addressed to the party to be
notified.
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         SECTION 8. LAW GOVERNING. The interpretation, performance and
enforcement of this Note shall be governed by the laws of the State of
California without resort to that State's conflict-of-laws rules.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Jeffrey R. Rodek has executed this Secured
Promissory Note to be effective on this 11th day of October, 1999.


                                               /s/ Jeffrey R. Rodek
                                               -----------------------
                                               Jeffrey R. Rodek

                                        Address:
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