Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                            INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

     THIS AGREEMENT is entered into, effective as of January ___, 2000, by and
between Saba Software, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and
__________________________ ("Indemnitee").

     WHEREAS, it is essential to the Company to retain and attract as directors
and officers the most capable persons available;

     WHEREAS, Indemnitee is a director and/or officer of the Company;

     WHEREAS, both the Company and Indemnitee recognize the increased risk of
litigation and other claims currently being asserted against directors and
officers of corporations;

     WHEREAS, the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company require
the Company to indemnify and advance expenses to its directors and officers to
the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law, and the Indemnitee has been
serving and continues to serve as a director and/or officer of the Company in
part in reliance on the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws; and

     WHEREAS, in recognition of Indemnitee's need for (i) substantial protection
against personal liability based on Indemnitee's reliance on the aforesaid
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, (ii) specific contractual assurance
that the protection promised by the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws will
be available to Indemnitee (regardless of, among other things, any amendment to
or revocation of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws or any change in
the composition of the Company's Board of Directors or acquisition transaction
relating to the Company), and (iii) an inducement to provide effective services
to the Company as a director and/or officer, the Company wishes to provide in
this Agreement for the indemnification of and the advancing of expenses to
Indemnitee to the fullest extent (whether partial or complete) permitted under
Delaware law and as set forth in this Agreement, and, to the extent insurance is
maintained, to provide for the continued coverage of Indemnitee under the
Company's directors' and officers' liability insurance policies.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises and of Indemnitee
continuing to serve the Company directly or, at its request, with another
enterprise, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree as
follows:

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     1. Certain Definitions:

          (a) Board: the Board of Directors of the Company.

          (b) Affiliate: any corporation or other person or entity that
directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is
controlled by, or is under common control with, the person specified.

          (c) Change in Control: shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) any
"person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"))(other than a trustee or
other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company
or a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company
in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the
Company, and other than any person holding shares of the Company on the date
that the Company first registers under the Act or any transferee of such
individual if such transferee is a spouse or lineal descendant of the transferee
or a trust for the benefit of the individual, his spouse or lineal descendants),
is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing
30% or more of the total voting power represented by the Company's then
outstanding Voting Securities, or (ii) during any period of two consecutive
years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board and
any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the
Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of
the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of
the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so
approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board, or (iii)
the stockholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company
with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation that would
result in the Voting Securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior
thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being
converted into Voting Securities of the surviving entity) at least 80% of the
total voting power represented by the Voting Securities of the Company or such
surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or
(iv) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of
the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company (in one
transaction or a series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the
Company's assets.

          (d) Expenses: any expense, liability, or loss, including attorneys'
fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties, amounts paid or to be
paid in settlement, any interest, assessments, or other charges imposed thereon,
any federal, state, local, or foreign taxes imposed as a result of the actual or
deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, and all other costs and
obligations, paid or incurred in connection with investigating, defending, being
a witness in, participating in (including on appeal), or preparing for any of
the foregoing in, any Proceeding relating to any Indemnifiable Event.

          (e) Indemnifiable Event: any event or occurrence that takes place
either prior to or after the execution of this Agreement, related to the fact
that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, or while a
director or officer is or was serving at the request of the Company as a
director, officer, employee, trustee, agent, or fiduciary of another

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foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, employee benefit
plan, trust, or other enterprise, or was a director, officer, employee, or agent
of a foreign or domestic corporation that was a predecessor corporation of the
Company or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation,
or related to anything done or not done by Indemnitee in any such capacity,
whether or not the basis of the Proceeding is alleged action in an official
capacity as a director, officer, employee, or agent or in any other capacity
while serving as a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Company, as
described above.

          (f) Independent Counsel: the person or body appointed in connection
with Section 3.

          (g) Proceeding: any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or
proceeding (including an action by or in the right of the Company), or any
inquiry, hearing, or investigation, whether conducted by the Company or any
other party, that Indemnitee in good faith believes might lead to the
institution of any such action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative, investigative, or other.

          (h) Reviewing Party: the person or body appointed in accordance with
Section 3.

          (i) Voting Securities: any securities of the Company that vote
generally in the election of directors.

     2. Agreement to Indemnify.

          (a) General Agreement. In the event Indemnitee was, is, or becomes a
party to or witness or other participant in, or is threatened to be made a party
to or witness or other participant in, a Proceeding by reason of (or arising in
part out of) an Indemnifiable Event, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee from
and against any and all Expenses to the fullest extent permitted by law, as the
same exists or may hereafter be amended or interpreted (but in the case of any
such amendment or interpretation, only to the extent that such amendment or
interpretation permits the Company to provide broader indemnification rights
than were permitted prior thereto). The parties hereto intend that this
Agreement shall provide for indemnification in excess of that expressly
permitted by statute, including, without limitation, any indemnification
provided by the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, its Bylaws, vote of its
stockholders or disinterested directors, or applicable law.

          (b) Initiation of Proceeding. Notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to indemnification
pursuant to this Agreement in connection with any Proceeding initiated by
Indemnitee against the Company or any director or officer of the Company unless
(i) the Company has joined in or the Board has consented to the initiation of
such Proceeding; (ii) the Proceeding is one to enforce indemnification rights
under Section 5; or (iii) the Proceeding is instituted after a Change in Control
(other than a Change in Control approved by a majority of the directors on the
Board who were directors immediately prior to such Change in Control) and
Independent Counsel has approved its initiation.

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          (c) Expense Advances. If so requested by Indemnitee, the Company shall
advance (within ten business days of such request) any and all Expenses to
Indemnitee (an "Expense Advance"); provided that (i) such an Expense Advance
shall be made only upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking by or on
behalf of the Indemnitee to repay the amount thereof if it is ultimately
determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company, and
(ii) if and to the extent that the Reviewing Party determines that Indemnitee
would not be permitted to be so indemnified under applicable law, the Company
shall be entitled to be reimbursed by Indemnitee (who hereby agrees to reimburse
the Company) for all such amounts theretofore paid. If Indemnitee has commenced
or commences legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction to secure a
determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under applicable law, as
provided in Section 4, any determination made by the Reviewing Party that
Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law shall
not be binding, and Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company
for any Expense Advance until a final judicial determination is made with
respect thereto (as to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted
or have lapsed). Indemnitee's obligation to reimburse the Company for Expense
Advances shall be unsecured and no interest shall be charged thereon.

          (d) Mandatory Indemnification. Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits
or otherwise in defense of any Proceeding relating in whole or in part to an
Indemnifiable Event or in defense of any issue or matter therein, Indemnitee
shall be indemnified against all Expenses incurred in connection therewith.

          (e) Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any
provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a
portion of Expenses, but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Company
shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which
Indemnitee is entitled.

          (f) Prohibited Indemnification. No indemnification pursuant to this
Agreement shall be paid by the Company on account of any Proceeding in which
judgment is rendered against Indemnitee for an accounting of profits made from
the purchase or sale by Indemnitee of securities of the Company pursuant to the
provisions of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
or similar provisions of any federal, state, or local laws.

     3. Reviewing Party. Prior to any Change in Control, the Reviewing Party
shall be any appropriate person or body consisting of a member or members of the
Board or any other person or body appointed by the Board who is not a party to
the particular Proceeding with respect to which Indemnitee is seeking
indemnification; after a Change in Control, the Independent Counsel referred to
below shall become the Reviewing Party. With respect to all matters arising
after a Change in Control (other than a Change in Control approved by a majority
of the directors on the Board who were directors immediately prior to such
Change in Control) concerning the rights of Indemnitee to indemnity payments and
Expense Advances under this Agreement or any other agreement or under applicable
law or the Company's Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws now or hereafter in
effect relating to indemnification for Indemnifiable Events, the Company shall
seek legal advice only from Independent Counsel selected by

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Indemnitee and approved by the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld), and who has not otherwise performed services for the Company or the
Indemnitee (other than in connection with indemnification matters) within the
last five years. The Independent Counsel shall not include any person who, under
the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a
conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an
action to determine Indemnitee's rights under this Agreement. Such counsel,
among other things, shall render its written opinion to the Company and
Indemnitee as to whether and to what extent the Indemnitee should be permitted
to be indemnified under applicable law. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable
fees of the Independent Counsel and to indemnify fully such counsel against any
and all expenses (including attorneys' fees), claims, liabilities, loss, and
damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the engagement of
Independent Counsel pursuant hereto.

     4. Indemnification Process and Appeal.

          (a) Indemnification Payment. Indemnitee shall be entitled to
indemnification of Expenses, and shall receive payment thereof, from the Company
in accordance with this Agreement as soon as practicable after Indemnitee has
made written demand on the Company for indemnification, unless the Reviewing
Party has given a written opinion to the Company that Indemnitee is not entitled
to indemnification under applicable law.

          (b) Suit to Enforce Rights. Regardless of any action by the Reviewing
Party, if Indemnitee has not received full indemnification within thirty days
after making a demand in accordance with Section 4(a), Indemnitee shall have the
right to enforce its indemnification rights under this Agreement by commencing
litigation in any court in the State of California or the State of Delaware
having subject matter jurisdiction thereof seeking an initial determination by
the court or challenging any determination by the Reviewing Party or any aspect
thereof. The Company hereby consents to service of process and to appear in any
such proceeding. Any determination by the Reviewing Party not challenged by the
Indemnitee shall be binding on the Company and Indemnitee. The remedy provided
for in this Section 4 shall be in addition to any other remedies available to
Indemnitee at law or in equity.

          (c) Defense to Indemnification, Burden of Proof, and Presumptions. It
shall be a defense to any action brought by Indemnitee against the Company to
enforce this Agreement (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for
Expenses incurred in defending a Proceeding in advance of its final disposition
where the required undertaking has been tendered to the Company) that it is not
permissible under applicable law for the Company to indemnify Indemnitee for the
amount claimed. In connection with any such action or any determination by the
Reviewing Party or otherwise as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to be
indemnified hereunder, the burden of proving such a defense or determination
shall be on the Company. Neither the failure of the Reviewing Party or the
Company (including its Board, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to
have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action by Indemnitee
that indemnification of the claimant is proper under the circumstances because
Indemnitee has met the standard of conduct set forth in applicable law, nor an
actual determination by the Reviewing Party or Company (including its Board,
independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the Indemnitee had not met
such applicable standard of conduct,

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shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the Indemnitee has
not met the applicable standard of conduct. For purposes of this Agreement, the
termination of any claim, action, suit, or proceeding, by judgment, order,
settlement (whether with or without court approval), conviction, or upon a plea
of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, shall not create a presumption that
Indemnitee did not meet any particular standard of conduct or have any
particular belief or that a court has determined that indemnification is not
permitted by applicable law.

          5. Indemnification for Expenses Incurred in Enforcing Rights. The
Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against any and all Expenses that are
incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action brought by Indemnitee for

     (i) indemnification or advance payment of Expenses by the Company under
this Agreement or any other agreement or under applicable law or the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws now or hereafter in effect relating to
indemnification for Indemnifiable Events, and/or

     (ii) recovery under directors' and officers' liability insurance policies
maintained by the Company, but only in the event that Indemnitee ultimately is
determined to be entitled to such indemnification or insurance recovery, as the
case may be. In addition, the Company shall, if so requested by Indemnitee,
advance the foregoing Expenses to Indemnitee, subject to and in accordance with
Section 2(c).

          6. Notification and Defense of Proceeding.

               (a) Notice. Promptly after receipt by Indemnitee of notice of the
commencement of any Proceeding, Indemnitee shall, if a claim in respect thereof
is to be made against the Company under this Agreement, notify the Company of
the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the Company will not
relieve the Company from any liability that it may have to Indemnitee, except as
provided in Section 6(c).

               (b) Defense. With respect to any Proceeding as to which
Indemnitee notifies the Company of the commencement thereof, the Company will be
entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense and except as
otherwise provided below, to the extent the Company so wishes, it may assume the
defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee. After notice
from the Company to Indemnitee of its election to assume the defense of any
Proceeding, the Company shall not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement
or otherwise for any Expenses subsequently incurred by Indemnitee in connection
with the defense of such Proceeding other than reasonable costs of investigation
or as otherwise provided below. Indemnitee shall have the right to employ legal
counsel in such Proceeding, but all Expenses related thereto incurred after
notice from the Company of its assumption of the defense shall be at
Indemnitee's expense unless: (i) the employment of legal counsel by Indemnitee
has been authorized by the Company, (ii) Indemnitee has reasonably determined
that there may be a conflict of interest between Indemnitee and the Company in
the defense of the Proceeding, (iii) after a Change in Control (other than a
Change in Control approved by a majority of the directors on the Board who were
directors immediately prior to such Change in Control), the

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employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been approved by the Independent
Counsel, or (iv) the Company shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume
the defense of such Proceeding, in each of which cases all Expenses of the
Proceeding shall be borne by the Company. The Company shall not be entitled to
assume the defense of any Proceeding brought by or on behalf of the Company or
as to which Indemnitee shall have made the determination provided for in (ii),
(iii) and (iv) above.

               (c) Settlement of Claims. The Company shall not be liable to
indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise for any amounts paid in
settlement of any Proceeding effected without the Company's written consent,
such consent not to be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that if a
Change in Control has occurred (other than a Change in Control approved by a
majority of the directors on the Board who were directors immediately prior to
such Change in Control), the Company shall be liable for indemnification of
Indemnitee for amounts paid in settlement if the Independent Counsel has
approved the settlement. The Company shall not settle any Proceeding in any
manner that would impose any penalty or limitation on Indemnitee without
Indemnitee's written consent. The Company shall not be liable to indemnify the
Indemnitee under this Agreement with regard to any judicial award if the Company
was not given a reasonable and timely opportunity, at its expense, to
participate in the defense of such action; the Company's liability hereunder
shall not be excused if participation in the Proceeding by the Company was
barred by this Agreement.

          7. Establishment of Trust. In the event of a Change in Control (other
than a Change in Control approved by a majority of the directors on the Board
who were directors immediately prior to such Change in Control) the Company
shall, upon written request by Indemnitee, create a Trust for the benefit of the
Indemnitee and from time to time upon written request of Indemnitee shall fund
the Trust in an amount sufficient to satisfy any and all Expenses reasonably
anticipated at the time of each such request to be incurred in connection with
investigating, preparing for, participating in, and/or defending any Proceeding
relating to an Indemnifiable Event. The amount or amounts to be deposited in the
Trust pursuant to the foregoing funding obligation shall be determined by the
Independent Counsel. The terms of the Trust shall provide that (i) the Trust
shall not be revoked or the principal thereof invaded without the written
consent of the Indemnitee, (ii) the Trustee shall advance, within ten business
days of a request by the Indemnitee, any and all Expenses to the Indemnitee (and
the Indemnitee hereby agrees to reimburse the Trust under the same circumstances
for which the Indemnitee would be required to reimburse the Company under
Section 2(c) of this Agreement), (iii) the Trust shall continue to be funded by
the Company in accordance with the funding obligation set forth above, (iv) the
Trustee shall promptly pay to the Indemnitee all amounts for which the
Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement or
otherwise, and (v) all unexpended funds in the Trust shall revert to the Company
upon a final determination by the Independent Counsel or a court of competent
jurisdiction, as the case may be, that the Indemnitee has been fully indemnified
under the terms of this Agreement. The Trustee shall be chosen by the
Indemnitee. Nothing in this Section 7 shall relieve the Company of any of its
obligations under this Agreement. All income earned on the assets held in the
Trust shall be reported as income by the Company for federal, state, local, and
foreign tax purposes. The Company shall pay all costs of establishing and
maintaining the Trust and shall indemnify the Trustee against any and all

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expenses (including attorneys' fees), claims, liabilities, loss, and damages
arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the establishment and
maintenance of the Trust.

          8. Non-Exclusivity. The rights of Indemnitee hereunder shall be in
addition to any other rights Indemnitee may have under the Company's Certificate
of Incorporation, Bylaws, applicable law, or otherwise; provided, however, that
this Agreement shall supersede any prior indemnification agreement between the
Company and the Indemnitee. To the extent that a change in applicable law
(whether by statute or judicial decision) permits greater indemnification than
would be afforded currently under the Company's Certificate of Incorporation,
Bylaws, applicable law, or this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties that
Indemnitee enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such
change.

          9. Liability Insurance. To the extent the Company maintains an
insurance policy or policies providing general and/or directors' and officers'
liability insurance, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies, in
accordance with its or their terms, to the maximum extent of the coverage
available for any Company director or officer.

          10. Period of Limitations. No legal action shall be brought and no
cause of action shall be asserted by or on behalf of the Company or any
Affiliate of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee's spouse, heirs,
executors, or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of two
years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, or such longer period as
may be required by state law under the circumstances. Any claim or cause of
action of the Company or its Affiliate shall be extinguished and deemed released
unless asserted by the timely filing and notice of a legal action within such
period; provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is
otherwise applicable to any such cause of action, the shorter period shall
govern.

          11. Amendment of this Agreement. No supplement, modification, or
amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both
of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement
shall be binding unless in the form of a writing signed by the party against
whom enforcement of the waiver is sought, and no such waiver shall operate as a
waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such
waiver constitute a continuing waiver. Except as specifically provided herein,
no failure to exercise or any delay in exercising any right or remedy hereunder
shall constitute a waiver thereof.

          12. Subrogation. In the event of payment under this Agreement, the
Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights
of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and shall do
everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the execution
of such documents necessary to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to
enforce such rights.

          13. No Duplication of Payments. The Company shall not be liable under
this Agreement to make any payment in connection with any claim made against
Indemnitee to the extent Indemnitee has otherwise received payment (under any
insurance policy, Bylaw, or otherwise) of the amounts otherwise indemnifiable
hereunder.

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          14. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective
successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger,
consolidation, or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or
assets of the Company), assigns, spouses, heirs, and personal and legal
representatives. The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether
direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) to all,
substantially all, or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the
Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee,
expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and
to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such
succession had taken place. The indemnification provided under this Agreement
shall continue as to Indemnitee for any action taken or not taken while serving
in an indemnified capacity pertaining to an Indemnifiable Event even though he
may have ceased to serve in such capacity at the time of any Proceeding.

          15. Severability. If any provision (or portion thereof) of this
Agreement shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,
void, or otherwise unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain
enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law. Furthermore, to the fullest
extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without
limitation, each portion of this Agreement containing any provision held to be
invalid, void, or otherwise unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, void, or
unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested
by the provision held invalid, void, or unenforceable.

          16. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to
contracts made and to be performed in such State without giving effect to its
principles of conflicts of laws.

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          17.  Notices. All notices, demands, and other communications required
or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing and shall be deemed to have been
duly given if delivered by hand, against receipt, or mailed, postage prepaid,
certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, and addressed to the
Company at:

               Saba Software, Inc.
               2400 Bridge Parkway
               Redwood Shores, CA  94065

               Attention:  Bobby Yazdani, President and CEO

               and to Indemnitee at:

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

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

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

Notice of change of address shall be effective only when given in accordance
with this Section. All notices complying with this Section shall be deemed to
have been received on the date of hand delivery or on the third business day
after mailing.

          18. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

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          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed and
delivered this Agreement as of the day specified above.

                                        SABA SOFTWARE, INC.

                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Bobby Yazdani, President and CEO

                                        INDEMNITEE

                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------

                                       10<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2

                               SABA SOFTWARE, INC.

                 AMENDED AND RESTATED 1997 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

        1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this Stock Incentive 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.

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

                (a) "Administrator" means the Board or any of the Committees
appointed to administer the Plan.

                (b) "Applicable Laws" means the legal requirements relating to
the administration of stock incentive plans, if any, under applicable provisions
of federal securities laws, California corporate and securities laws, the Code,
the rules of any applicable stock exchange or national market system, and the
rules of any foreign jurisdiction applicable to Awards granted to residents
therein.

                (c) "Award" means the grant of an Option, Restricted Stock, or
other right or benefit under the Plan.

                (d) "Award Agreement" means the written agreement evidencing the
grant of an Award executed by the Company and the Grantee, including any
amendments thereto.

                (e) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

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

                (g) "Committee" means any committee appointed by the Board to
administer the Plan.

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

                (i) "Company" means Saba Software, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

                (j) "Consultant" means any person who is engaged by the Company
or Related Entity to render consulting or advisory services as an independent
contractor and is compensated for such services.

                (k) "Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant"
means that the provision of services to the Company or a Related Entity in any
capacity of Employee, Director or Consultant, is not interrupted or terminated.
Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant shall not be considered
interrupted in the case of (i) any approved leave of absence, (ii) transfers
between locations of the Company or among the Company, any Related Entity, or
any successor, in any capacity of Employee, Director or Consultant, or (iii) any
change

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in status as long as the individual remains in the service of the Company or a
Related Entity in any capacity of Employee, Director or Consultant (except as
otherwise provided in the Award Agreement). For purposes of Incentive Stock
Options, no such leave may exceed ninety (90) days, unless reemployment upon
expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract.

                (l) "Corporate Transaction" means any of the following
stockholder-approved transactions to which the Company is a party:

                        (i) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is
not the surviving entity, except for a transaction the principal purpose of
which is to change the state in which the Company is incorporated;

                        (ii) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company (including the capital stock of
the Company's subsidiary corporations) in connection with the complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

                        (iii) any reverse merger in which the Company is the
surviving entity but in which securities possessing more than fifty percent
(50%) of the total combined voting power of the Company's outstanding securities
are transferred to a person or persons different from those who held such
securities immediately prior to such merger.

                (m) "Director" means a member of the Board.

                (n) "Employee" means any person, including an Officer or
Director, who is an employee of the Company or any Related Entity. The payment
of a director's fee by the Company shall not be sufficient to constitute
"employment" by the Company.

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

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

                        (i) Where there exists a public market for the Common
Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be (A) the closing price for a Share for the
last market trading day prior to the time of the determination (or, if no
closing price was reported on that date, on the last trading date on which a
closing price was reported) on the stock exchange determined by the
Administrator to be the primary market for the Common Stock or the Nasdaq
National Market, whichever is applicable or (B) if the Common Stock is not
traded on any such exchange or national market system, the average of the
closing bid and asked prices of a Share on the Nasdaq Small Cap Market for the
day prior to the time of the determination (or, if no such prices were reported
on that date, on the last date on which such prices were reported), in each
case, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the
Administrator deems reliable; or

                        (ii) In the absence of an established market of the type
described in (i), above, for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof
shall be determined by the Administrator in good faith and in a manner
consistent with Section 260.140.50 of Title 10 of the California Code of
Regulations.

                                       2
<PAGE>   3

                (q) "Grantee" means an Employee, Director or Consultant who
receives an Award under the Plan.

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

                (s) "Non-Qualified Stock Option" means an Option not intended to
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

                (t) "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.

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

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

                (w) "Plan" means this Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Incentive
Plan.

                (x) "Registration Date" means the closing of the first sale of
Common Stock to the general public pursuant to a registration statement filed
with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

                (y) "Related Entity" means any Parent, Subsidiary and any
business, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity in
which the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary holds an ownership interest,
directly or indirectly.

                (z) "Restricted Stock" means Shares issued under the Plan to the
Grantee for such consideration, if any, and subject to such restrictions on
transfer, rights of first refusal, repurchase provisions, forfeiture provisions,
and other terms and conditions as established by the Administrator.

                (aa) "Share" means a share of the Common Stock.

                (bb) "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.

                (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 11(a) below, the
maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be issued pursuant to all Awards
(including Incentive Stock Options) is 6,000,000 Shares. The Shares may be
authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.

                (b) If an Award expires or becomes unexercisable without having
been exercised in full, or if any unissued Shares are retained by the Company
upon exercise of an

                                       3
<PAGE>   4

Award in order to satisfy the exercise price for such Award or any withholding
taxes due with respect to such Award, such unissued or retained Shares shall
become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has
terminated). Shares that actually have been issued under the Plan pursuant to an
Award shall not be returned to the Plan and shall not become available for
future distribution under the Plan, except that if unvested Shares are
forfeited, or repurchased by the Company at their original purchase price, such
Shares shall become available for future grant under the Plan.

        4. Administration of the Plan.

                (a) Plan Administrator. With respect to grants of Awards to
Employees, Directors, Officers or Consultants, the Plan shall be administered by
(A) the Board or (B) a Committee (or a subcommittee of the Committee) designated
by the Board, which Committee shall be constituted in such a manner as to
satisfy Applicable Laws. Once appointed, such Committee shall continue to serve
in its designated capacity until otherwise directed by the Board.

                (b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to Applicable Laws and
the provisions of the Plan (including any other powers given to the
Administrator hereunder), and except as otherwise provided by the Board, the
Administrator shall have the authority, in its discretion:

                        (i) to select the Employees, Directors and Consultants
to whom Awards may be granted from time to time hereunder;

                        (ii) to determine whether and to what extent Awards are
granted hereunder;

                        (iii) to determine the number of Shares or the amount of
other consideration to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;

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

                        (v) to determine the terms and conditions of any Award
granted hereunder;

                        (vi) to establish additional terms, conditions, rules or
procedures to accommodate the rules or laws of applicable foreign jurisdictions
and to afford Grantees favorable treatment under such laws; provided, however,
that no Award shall be granted under any such additional terms, conditions,
rules or procedures with terms or conditions which are inconsistent with the
provisions of the Plan;

                        (vii) to amend the terms of any outstanding Award
granted under the Plan, including a reduction in the exercise price of any Award
to reflect a reduction in the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock since the
grant date of the Award, provided that any amendment that would adversely affect
the Grantee's rights under an outstanding Award shall not be made without the
Grantee's written consent;

                                       4
<PAGE>   5

                        (viii) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan
and Awards granted pursuant to the Plan; and

                        (ix) to take such other action, not inconsistent with
the terms of the Plan, as the Administrator deems appropriate.

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

        5. Eligibility. Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted
to Employees, Directors and Consultants. Incentive Stock Options may be granted
only to Employees of the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary. An Employee,
Director or Consultant who has been granted an Award may, if otherwise eligible,
be granted additional Awards. Awards may be granted to such Employees, Directors
or Consultants who are residing in foreign jurisdictions as the Administrator
may determine from time to time.

        6. Terms and Conditions of Awards.

                (a) Type of Awards. The Administrator is authorized under the
Plan to award any type of arrangement to an Employee, Director or Consultant
that is not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan and that by its terms
involves or might involve the issuance of (i) Shares, (ii) an Option, or similar
right with an exercise or conversion privilege at a fixed or variable price
related to the Common Stock and/or the passage of time, the occurrence of one or
more events, or the satisfaction of performance criteria or other conditions, or
(iii) any other security with the value derived from the value of the Common
Stock or securities issued by a Related Entity. Such awards include, without
limitation, Options, and sales or bonuses of Restricted Stock. An Award may
consist of one such security or benefit, or two or more of them in any
combination or alternative.

                (b) Designation of Award. Each Award shall be designated in the
Award Agreement. In the case of an Option, the Option shall be designated as
either an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option. However,
notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market
Value of Shares subject to Options designated as Incentive Stock Options which
become exercisable for the first time by a Grantee during any calendar year
(under all plans of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000,
such excess Options, to the extent of the Shares covered thereby in excess of
the foregoing limitation, shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options. For
this purpose, Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order
in which they were granted, and the Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be
determined as of the grant date of the relevant Option.

                (c) Conditions of Award. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the
Administrator shall determine the provisions, terms, and conditions of each
Award including, but not limited to, the Award vesting schedule, repurchase
provisions, rights of first refusal, forfeiture provisions, form of payment
(cash, Shares, or other consideration) upon settlement of the Award, payment
contingencies, and satisfaction of any performance criteria. The performance
criteria established by the Administrator may be based on any one of, or
combination of, increase in share price,

                                       5
<PAGE>   6

earnings per share, total stockholder return, return on equity, return on
assets, return on investment, net operating income, cash flow, revenue, economic
value added, personal management objectives, or other measure of performance
selected by the Administrator. Partial achievement of the specified criteria may
result in a payment or vesting corresponding to the degree of achievement as
specified in the Award Agreement.

                (d) Early Exercise. The Award may, but need not, include a
provision whereby the Grantee may elect at any time while an Employee, Director
or Consultant to exercise any part or all of the Award prior to full vesting of
the Award. Any unvested Shares received pursuant to such exercise may be subject
to a repurchase right in favor of the Company or to any other restriction the
Administrator determines to be appropriate.

                (e) Term of Award. The term of each Award shall be the term
stated in the Award Agreement, provided, however, that the term shall be no more
than ten (10) years from the date of grant thereof. However, in the case of an
Incentive Stock Option granted to a Grantee 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 Incentive Stock Option shall be five (5) years from the date of grant
thereof or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement.

                (f) Non-Transferability of Awards. Awards 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 Grantee, only by the Grantee.

                (g) Time of Granting Awards. The date of grant of an Award shall
for all purposes be the date on which the Administrator makes the determination
to grant such Award, or such other date as is determined by the Administrator.
Notice of the grant determination shall be given to each Employee, Director or
Consultant to whom an Award is so granted within a reasonable time after the
date of such grant.

        7. Award Exercise or Purchase Price, Consideration, Taxes and Reload
Options.

                (a) Exercise or Purchase Price. The exercise or purchase price,
if any, for an Award shall be as follows:

                        (i) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option:

                                (A) granted to an Employee who, at the time of
the grant of such Incentive Stock 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 per Share exercise price shall be not less than one
hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of
grant.

                                (B) granted to any Employee other than an
Employee described in the preceding paragraph, the per Share exercise price
shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per
Share on the date of grant.

                                       6
<PAGE>   7

                        (ii) In the case of a Non-Qualified Stock Option:

                                (A) granted to a person who, at the time of the
grant of such Option, Iowns 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 per Share exercise price shall be not less than one hundred ten
percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

                                (B) granted to any person other than a person
described in the preceding paragraph, the per Share exercise price shall be not
less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the
date of grant.

                        (iii) In the case of the sale of Shares:

                                (A) granted to a person who, at the time of the
grant of such Award, or at the time the purchase is consummated, 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 per Share purchase price
shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per
share on the date of grant.

                                (B) granted to any person other than a person
described in the preceding paragraph, the per Share purchase price shall be not
less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the
date of grant.

                (b) Consideration. Subject to Applicable Laws, the consideration
to be paid for the Shares to be issued upon exercise or purchase of an Award
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). In addition to any other types of consideration the Administrator may
determine, the Administrator is authorized to accept as consideration for Shares
issued under the Plan the following:

                        (i) cash;

                        (ii) check;

                        (iii) delivery of Grantee's promissory note with such
recourse, interest, security, and redemption provisions as the Administrator
determines as appropriate;

                        (iv) if the exercise occurs on or after the Registration
Date, surrender of Shares or delivery of a properly executed form of attestation
of ownership of Shares as the Administrator may require (including withholding
of Shares otherwise deliverable upon exercise of the Award) which have a Fair
Market Value on the date of surrender or attestation equal to the aggregate
exercise price of the Shares as to which said Award shall be exercised (but only
to the extent that such exercise of the Award would not result in an accounting
compensation charge with respect to the Shares used to pay the exercise price
unless otherwise determined by the Administrator);

                                       7
<PAGE>   8

                        (v) if the exercise occurs on or after the Registration
Date, 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 Award and delivery to the Company of the sale or
loan proceeds required to pay the exercise price; or

                        (vi) any combination of the foregoing methods of
payment.

                (c) Taxes. No Shares shall be delivered under the Plan to any
Grantee or other person until such Grantee or other person has made arrangements
acceptable to the Administrator for the satisfaction of any foreign, federal,
state, or local income and employment tax withholding obligations, including,
without limitation, obligations incident to the receipt of Shares or the
disqualifying disposition of Shares received on exercise of an Incentive Stock
Option. Upon exercise of an Award the Company shall withhold or collect from
Grantee an amount sufficient to satisfy such tax obligations.

                (d) Reload Options. In the event the exercise price or tax
withholding of an Option is satisfied by the Company or the Grantee's employer
withholding Shares otherwise deliverable to the Grantee, the Administrator may
issue the Grantee an additional Option, with terms identical to the Award
Agreement under which the Option was exercised, but at an exercise price as
determined by the Administrator in accordance with the Plan.

        8. Exercise of Award.

                (a) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder.

                        (i) Any Award granted hereunder shall be exercisable at
such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator under
the terms of the Plan and specified in the Award Agreement but in the case of an
Option, in no case at a rate of less than 20% per year over five (5) years from
the date the Option is granted, subject to reasonable conditions such as
continued employment. However, in the case of an Option granted to an Officer,
Director or Consultant, the Award Agreement may provide that the Option may
become fully exercisable, subject to reasonable conditions such as continued
employment, at any time or during any period established in the Award Agreement.

                        (ii) An Award 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 Award by the person entitled to exercise the Award and full
payment for the Shares with respect to which the Award is exercised has been
received by the Company. 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 Shares subject to an Award, notwithstanding the exercise of an Option or
other Award. No adjustment will 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 the Award Agreement or Section 11(a), below.

                                       8
<PAGE>   9

                (b) Exercise of Award Following Termination of Employment,
Director or Consulting Relationship. In the event of termination of an Grantee's
Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant for any reason other
than disability or death (but not in the event of an Grantee's change of status
from Employee to Consultant or from Consultant to Employee), such Grantee may,
but only within three (3) months after the date of such termination (but in no
event later than the expiration date of the term of such Award as set forth in
the Award Agreement), exercise his or her Award to the extent that the Grantee
was entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination or to such other
extent as may be determined by the Administrator. The Grantee's Award Agreement
may provide that upon the termination of the Grantee's Continuous Status as an
Employee, Director or Consultant for "Cause," the Grantee's right to exercise
the Award shall terminate concurrently with the termination of Grantee's
Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant. The term "Cause" shall
be as defined in the Award Agreement. If the Grantee should die within three (3)
months after the date of such termination, the Grantee's estate or the person
who acquired the right to exercise the Award by bequest or inheritance may
exercise the Award to the extent that the Grantee was entitled to exercise it at
the date of such termination within twelve (12) months of the Grantee's date of
death, but in no event later than the expiration date of the term of such Award
as set forth in the Award Agreement. In the event of an Grantee's change of
status from Employee to Consultant, an Employee's Incentive Stock Option shall
convert automatically to a Non-Qualified Stock Option on the day three (3)
months and one day following such change of status. To the extent that the
Grantee is not entitled to exercise the Award at the date of termination, or if
the Grantee does not exercise such Award to the extent so entitled within the
time specified herein, the Award shall terminate.

                (c) Disability of Grantee. In the event of termination of an
Grantee's Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant as a result
of his or her disability, Grantee may, but only within twelve (12) months from
the date of such termination (and in no event later than the expiration date of
the term of such Award as set forth in the Award Agreement), exercise the Award
to the extent otherwise entitled to exercise it at the date of such termination;
provided, however, that 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 convert to a
Non-Qualified Stock Option on the day three (3) months and one day following
such termination. To the extent that the Grantee is not entitled to exercise the
Award at the date of termination, or if Grantee does not exercise such Award to
the extent so entitled within the time specified herein, the Award shall
terminate.

                (d) Death of Grantee. In the event of the death of an Grantee,
the Award may be exercised at any time within twelve (12) months following the
date of death (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such
Award as set forth in the Award Agreement), by the Grantee's estate or by a
person who acquired the right to exercise the Award by bequest or inheritance,
but only to the extent that the Grantee was entitled to exercise the Award at
the date of death. If, at the time of death, the Grantee was not entitled to
exercise his or her entire Award, the Shares covered by the unexercisable
portion of the Award shall immediately revert to the Plan. If, after death, the
Grantee's estate or a person who acquired the right to exercise the Award by
bequest or inheritance does not exercise the Award within the time specified
herein, the Award shall terminate.

                                       9
<PAGE>   10

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

        9. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.

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

                (b) As a condition to the exercise of an Award, the Company may
require the person exercising such Award 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
Applicable Laws.

        10. Repurchase Rights. If the provisions of an Award Agreement grant to
the Company the right to repurchase Shares upon termination of the Grantee's
Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant, the Award Agreement
shall provide that the repurchase price will be either:

                (a) Not less than the Fair Market Value of the Shares to be
repurchased on the date of termination of the Grantee's Continuous Status as an
Employee, Director or Consultant, and the right to repurchase must be exercised
for cash or cancellation of purchase money indebtedness for the Shares within
ninety (90) days of the termination of the Grantee's Continuous Status as an
Employee, Director or Consultant (or in the case of Shares issued upon exercise
of Awards after the date of termination of the Grantee's Continuous Status as an
Employee, Director or Consultant, within ninety (90) days after the date of the
Award exercise), and the right terminates when the Company's securities become
publicly traded; or

                (b) The original purchase price, provided that the right to
repurchase at the original purchase price lapses at the rate of at least twenty
percent (20%) of the Shares subject to the Award per year over five (5) years
from the date the Award is granted (without respect to the date the Award was
exercised or became exercisable), and the right to repurchase must be exercised
for cash or cancellation of purchase money indebtedness for the Shares within
ninety (90) days of termination of the Grantee's Continuous Status as an
Employee, Director or Consultant (or in the case of Shares issued upon exercise
of Awards after the date of termination of the Grantee's Continuous Status as an
Employee, Director or Consultant, within ninety (90) days after the date of the
Award exercise).

                (c) In addition to the restrictions set forth in (a) and (b)
above, the Shares held by an Officer, Director or Consultant may be subject to
additional or greater restrictions.

                                       10
<PAGE>   11

        11. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization or Corporate Transaction.

                (a) Adjustments upon Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any
required action by the stockholders of the Company, the number of Shares covered
by each outstanding Award, and the number of Shares which have been authorized
for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Awards have yet been granted or
which have been returned to the Plan, as well as the price per share of Common
Stock covered by each such outstanding Award, 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 similar event resulting in
an increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock. 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 hereof shall be made with respect to, the
number or price of Shares subject to an Award.

                (b) Corporate Transaction. Except as provided otherwise in an
individual Award Agreement, in the event of any Corporate Transaction, each
outstanding Award will terminate immediately prior to the specified effective
date of such Corporate Transaction, unless the Award is assumed or an equivalent
Award is substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of
such successor corporation. For the purposes of this subsection, the Award shall
be considered assumed or substituted for an equivalent Award if, following the
Corporate Transaction, the Award confers, for each Share subject to the Award
immediately prior to the Corporate Transaction, (i) the consideration (whether
stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the Corporate
Transaction by holders of Common Stock for each Share subject to the Award held
on the effective date of the Corporate 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), or (ii) the right to purchase such
consideration in the case of an Option or similar Award; provided, however, that
if such consideration received in the Corporate Transaction was not solely
common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent or a Subsidiary, the
Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for
the consideration to be received upon the exercise or exchange of the Award for
each Share subject to the Award to be solely common stock of the successor
corporation or its Parent or a Subsidiary equal in fair market value to the per
share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Corporate
Transaction.

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

        13. Amendment, Suspension or Termination of the Plan.

                (a) The Board may at any time amend, suspend or terminate the
Plan. To the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Laws, the Company shall
obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment in such a manner and to such a
degree as required.

                                       11
<PAGE>   12

                (b) No Award may be granted during any suspension of the Plan or
after termination of the Plan.

                (c) Any amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall
not affect Awards already granted, and such Awards shall remain in full force
and effect as if the Plan had not been amended, suspended or terminated, unless
mutually agreed otherwise between the Grantee and the Administrator, which
agreement must be in writing and signed by the Grantee and the Company.

        14. Reservation of Shares.

                (a) The Company, during the term of the Plan, will at all times
reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to
satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

                (b) 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.

        15. No Effect on Terms of Employment/Consulting. The Plan shall not
confer upon any Grantee any right with respect to continuation of employment or
consulting relationship with the Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with
his or her right or the Company's right to terminate his or her employment or
consulting relationship at any time, with or without cause.

        16. Stockholder Approval. Continuance of the Plan shall be subject to
approval by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months before or
after the date the Plan is adopted. Such stockholder approval shall be obtained
in the degree and manner required under Applicable Laws. Any Award exercised
before stockholder approval is obtained shall be rescinded if stockholder
approval is not obtained within the time prescribed, and Shares issued on the
exercise of any such Award shall not be counted in determining whether
stockholder approval is obtained.

        17. Information to Grantees. The Company shall provide to each Grantee,
during the period for which such Grantee has one or more Awards outstanding,
copies of financial statements at least annually.

                                       12

<PAGE>   13

                  SABA SOFTWARE, INC. 1997 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

                          NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT

Optionee's Name and Address:                NAME
                                            ADDRESS
                                            ADDRESS

        You have been granted an option to purchase shares of Common Stock of
the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Option
Agreement, as follows:

<TABLE>
<S>                                          <C>
         Grant Number                        000XXX

         Date of Grant                       DATE

         Vesting Commencement Date           DATE OF HIRE

         Exercise Price per Share            $0.XX

         Total Number of Shares Granted      XX,XXX

         Total Exercise Price                $X,XXX

         Type of Option:                     X________Incentive Stock Option

                                             _________Non-Qualified Stock Option

         Term/Expiration Date:               DATE (10 YEARS)
</TABLE>

Vesting Schedule:

        Subject to other limitations set forth in the Option Agreement, the
Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, in accordance with the following
schedule:

        25% of the Shares subject to the Option shall vest twelve months after
the Vesting Commencement Date, and 3/48 of the Shares subject to the Option
shall vest on each quarterly anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date
thereafter.

        During any authorized leave of absence, the vesting of the Option as
provided in this schedule shall cease after the leave of absence exceeds a
period of ninety (90) days. Vesting of the Option shall resume upon the
Optionee's termination of the leave of absence and return to service with the
Company.

        In the event of the Optionee's change in status from Employee to
Consultant, vesting of the Option shall continue only to the extent determined
by the Administrator as of such change in status.

                                       1
<PAGE>   14

Termination Period:

        Except in the event of termination of the Optionee's Continuous Status
as an Employee, Director or Consultant for "Cause" (as defined below), the
Option may be exercised within three (3) months from termination of the
Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant or such
longer period as may be applicable upon death or disability of the Optionee as
provided in the Option Agreement. In the event of the Optionee's change in
status from Employee to Consultant or Consultant to Employee, the Option shall
remain in effect; provided, however, that in the event of a change in status
from Employee to Consultant, the Optionee's Incentive Stock Option shall cease
to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated as a
Non-Qualified Stock Option on the day three (3) months and one day following
such change in status. In no event shall the Option be exercised later than the
Term/Expiration Date as provided above.

        In the event of termination of the Optionee's Continuous Status as an
Employee, Director or Consultant for "Cause," the Optionee's right to exercise
the Option shall terminate concurrently with the termination of the Optionee's
Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant.

Definition of "Cause":

        For purposes of the Option, termination of the Optionee's Continuous
Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant shall be for "Cause" as such term
is defined in the Optionee's employment agreement, or in the absence of such
definition, then as in the opinion of the Company, the Optionee: (i) acts in bad
faith and to the detriment of the Company; (ii) refuses or fails to act in
accordance with any specific direction or order of the Company; (iii) exhibits
in regard to his employment unfitness or unavailability for service,
unsatisfactory performance, misconduct, but not disability; (iv) exhibits
dishonesty, habitual neglect, or incompetence, but not disability; or (v) is
convicted of a crime involving dishonesty, breach of trust, or physical or
emotional harm to any person. At least 30 days prior to terminating the
Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant pursuant to
(ii) or (iii) above, the Company shall provide the Optionee with notice of the
Company's intent to terminate, the Company's reason therefor, and an opportunity
for the Optionee to cure such defects in his service to the Company's
satisfaction. During this 30 day (or longer) period, the Optionee shall not be
entitled to exercise the Option, but the Option shall continue to vest in
accordance with the Vesting Schedule.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Optionee have executed this
Notice of Stock Option Grant and agree that the Option is to be governed by the
terms and conditions of this Notice of Stock Option Grant, the Plan, and the
Option Agreement.

                                              Saba Software, Inc.,
                                              a Delaware corporation

                                              By:
                                                 -------------------------------

                                              Its: President & CEO
                                                 -------------------------------

                                       2
<PAGE>   15

THE OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE
OPTION HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING CONSULTANCY OR EMPLOYMENT AT THE WILL
OF THE COMPANY (NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THIS OPTION OR
ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER). THE OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT
NOTHING IN THIS NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT, THE OPTION AGREEMENT, NOR IN THE
COMPANY'S 1997 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN, SHALL CONFER UPON THE OPTIONEE ANY RIGHT
WITH RESPECT TO CONTINUATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY BY THE COMPANY, NOR
SHALL IT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH THE OPTIONEE'S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY'S RIGHT
TO TERMINATE THE OPTIONEE'S EMPLOYMENT OR CONSULTANCY AT ANY TIME, WITH OR
WITHOUT CAUSE.

        The Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and the Option
Agreement, and represents that he is familiar with the terms and provisions
thereof, and hereby accepts the Option subject to all of the terms and
provisions thereof. The Optionee has reviewed this Notice of Stock Option Grant,
the Plan, and the Option Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to
obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing the Notice of Stock Option Grant
and fully understands all provisions of this Notice of Stock Option Grant, the
Plan, and the Option Agreement. The Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding,
conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board or
Administrator upon any questions arising under this Notice of Stock Option
Grant, the Plan, and the Option Agreement. The Optionee further agrees to notify
the Company upon any change in the residence address indicated in this Notice of
Stock Option Grant.

Dated:                                  Signed:
      -----------------------                  ---------------------------------
                                               Optionee

                                       3
<PAGE>   16

                  SABA SOFTWARE, INC. 1997 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

        1. Grant of Option. Saba Software, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), hereby grants to the Optionee named in the Notice of Stock Option
Grant (the "Optionee"), an option (the "Option") to purchase the total number of
shares of Common Stock (the "Shares") set forth in the Notice of Stock Option
Grant, at the exercise price per share set forth in the Notice of Stock Option
Grant (the "Exercise Price") subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of
the Notice of Stock Option Grant and the Company's 1997 Stock Incentive Plan
(the "Plan") adopted by the Company, which are incorporated herein by reference.
Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the
same defined meanings in this Option Agreement.

        If designated in the Notice of Stock Option Grant as an Incentive Stock
Option, the Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option as
defined in Section 422 of the Code. Nevertheless, to the extent that it exceeds
the $100,000 rule of Section 422(d) of the Code, the Option shall be treated as
a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

        2. Exercise of Option.

                (a) Right to Exercise. The Option shall be exercisable during
its term in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Stock
Option Grant and with the applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option
Agreement. The Option shall be subject to the provisions of Section 11(b) of the
Plan relating to the exercisability or termination of the Option in the event of
a Corporate Transaction. No partial exercise of the Option may be for less than
the lessor of five percent (5%) of the total number of Shares subject to the
Option or the remaining number of Shares subject to the Option. In no event
shall the Company issue fractional Shares.

                (b) Method of Exercise. The Option shall be exercisable only by
delivery of an Exercise Notice (attached as Exhibit A) which shall state the
election to exercise the Option, the whole number of Shares in respect of which
the Option is being exercised, and such other provisions as may be required by
the Administrator. Such Exercise Notice shall be signed by the Optionee and
shall be delivered in person or by certified mail to the Secretary of the
Company accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price. The Option shall be deemed
to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such written notice accompanied
by the Exercise Price.

                No Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of the Option
unless such issuance and such exercise shall comply with all Applicable Laws.
Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes, the Shares shall be
considered transferred to the Optionee on the date on which the Option is
exercised with respect to such Shares.

                (c) Taxes. No Shares will be issued to the Optionee or other
person pursuant to the exercise of the Option until the Optionee or other person
has made arrangements acceptable to the Administrator for the satisfaction of
foreign, federal, state and local income and employment tax withholding
obligations.

        3. Optionee's Representations. In the event the Shares purchasable
pursuant to the exercise of the Option have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, at the time the Option is exercised, the
Optionee shall, if required by the Company, concurrently with the exercise of
all

                                       4
<PAGE>   17

or any portion the Option, deliver to the Company his or her Investment
Representation Statement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

        4. Method of Payment. Payment of the Exercise Price shall be by any of
the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee;
provided, however, that such exercise method does not then violate an Applicable
Law:

                (a) cash;

                (b) check;

                (c) if the exercise occurs on or after the Registration Date,
surrender of Shares or delivery of a properly executed form of attestation of
ownership of Shares as the Administrator may require (including withholding of
Shares otherwise deliverable upon exercise of the Option) which have a Fair
Market Value on the date of surrender or attestation equal to the aggregate
Exercise Price of the Shares as to which the Option is being exercised (but only
to the extent that such exercise of the Option would not result in an accounting
compensation charge with respect to the Shares used to pay the exercise price);
or

                (d) if the exercise occurs on or after the Registration Date,
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.

        5. Restrictions on Exercise. The Option may not be exercised until such
time as the Plan has been approved by the shareholders of the Company. In
addition, the Option may not be exercised if the issuance of the Shares subject
to the Option upon such exercise would constitute a violation of any Applicable
Laws.

        6. Termination of Relationship. In the event the Optionee's Continuous
Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant terminates, the Optionee may, to
the extent otherwise so entitled at the date of such termination (the
"Termination Date"), exercise the Option during the Termination Period set out
in the Notice of Stock Option Grant. Except as provided in Sections 7 and 8,
below, to the extent that the Optionee was not entitled to exercise the Option
on the Termination Date, or if the Optionee does not exercise the Option within
the Termination Period, the Option shall terminate.

        7. Disability of Optionee. In the event the Optionee's Continuous Status
as an Employee, Director or Consultant terminates as a result of his or her
disability, the Optionee may, but only within twelve (12) months from the
Termination Date (and in no event later than the Term/Expiration Date), exercise
the Option to the extent otherwise entitled to exercise it on the Termination
Date; provided, however, that if such disability is not a "disability" as such
term is defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code and the Option is an Incentive
Stock Option, such Incentive Stock Option shall cease to be treated as an
Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option on
the day three (3) months and one day following the Termination Date. To the
extent that the Optionee was not entitled to exercise the Option on the
Termination Date, or if the Optionee does not exercise the Option to the extent
so entitled within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

        8. Death of Optionee. In the event of the Optionee's death, the Option
may be exercised at any time within twelve (12) months following the date of
death (and in no event later than the Term/Expiration Date), by the Optionee's
estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise the

                                       5
<PAGE>   18

Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent the Optionee could
exercise the Option at the date of death. To the extent that the Optionee was
not entitled to exercise the Option on the date of death, or the Option is not
exercised to the extent so entitled within the time specified herein, the Option
shall terminate.

        9. Non-Transferability of Option. The Option may not be transferred in
any manner otherwise 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. The
terms of the Option shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs
and successors of the Optionee.

        10. Term of Option. The Option may be exercised only within the term set
out in the Notice of Stock Option Grant.

        11. Company's Right of First Refusal.

                (a) Transfer Notice. Neither the Optionee nor a transferee
(either being sometimes referred to herein as the "Holder") shall sell,
hypothecate, encumber or otherwise transfer any Shares or any right or interest
therein without first obtaining the prior written consent of the Company. In the
event the Holder desires to accept a bona fide third-party offer for any or all
of the Shares the Holder shall provide the Company with written notice (the
"Transfer Notice") of:

                        (i) The Holder's intention to transfer;

                        (ii) The name of the proposed transferee;

                        (iii) The number of Shares to be transferred; and

                        (iv) The proposed transfer price or value and terms
thereof.

                (b) First Refusal Exercise Notice. Within 45 days after receipt
of the Transfer Notice (the "Option Period") the Company and/or its assigns
shall have the right to purchase (the "Right of First Refusal") all, but not
less than all of the Shares which are described in the Transfer Notice (the
"Offered Shares") at the per share price or value and in accordance with the
terms stated in the Transfer Notice, which Right of First Refusal shall be
exercised by written notice (the "First Refusal Exercise Notice") to the Holder
setting forth the number of Offered Shares the Company and/or its assigns elects
to purchase, provided that the number equals all of the Offered Shares.

                (c) Payment Terms. The Company shall consummate the purchase of
the Offered Shares on the terms set forth in the Transfer Notice within 15 days
after delivery of the First Refusal Exercise Notice; provided, however, that in
the event the Transfer Notice provides for the payment for the Offered Shares
other than in cash, the Company and/or its assigns shall have the right to pay
for the Offered Shares by the discounted cash equivalent of the consideration
described in the Transfer Notice as reasonably determined by the Administrator.
Upon payment for the Offered Shares to the Holder or into escrow for the benefit
of the Holder, the Company or its assigns shall become the legal and beneficial
owner of the Offered Shares and all rights and interest therein or related
thereto, and the Company shall have the right to transfer the Offered Shares to
its own name or its assigns without the further action by the Holder.

                (d) Assignment. Whenever the Company shall have the right to
purchase Shares under this Right of First Refusal, the Company may designate and
assign one or more employees,

                                       6
<PAGE>   19

officers, directors or shareholders of the Company or other persons or
organizations, to exercise all or a part of the Company's Right of First
Refusal.

                (e) Non-Exercise. If the Company and/or its assigns do not
collectively elect to exercise the Right of First Refusal within the specified
45-day period or such earlier time if the Company and/or its assigns notifies
the Holder that it will not exercise the Right of First Refusal, then the Holder
may transfer the Shares upon the terms and conditions stated in the Transfer
Notice, provided that:

                        (i) The transfer is made within 120 days of the date of
the Transfer Notice; and

                        (ii) The transferee agrees in writing that such Shares
shall be held subject to the provisions of this Right of First Refusal.

                (f) Expiration of Transfer Period. Following such 120-day
period, no transfer of the Offered Shares and no change in the terms of the
transfer as stated in the Transfer Notice (including the name of the proposed
transferee) shall be permitted without a new written Transfer Notice prepared
and submitted in accordance with the requirements of this Right of First
Refusal.

                (g) Exception for Certain Family Transfers. Anything to the
contrary contained in this section notwithstanding, the transfer of any or all
of the Shares during the Optionee's lifetime or on the Optionee's death by will
or intestacy to the Optionee's Immediate Family or a trust for the benefit of
the Optionee or the Optionee's Immediate Family shall be exempt from the
provisions of this Right of First Refusal. "Immediate Family" as used herein
shall mean spouse, domestic partner (as determined by the Administrator), child,
lineal descendant or antecedent, father, mother, brother or sister and the
lineal descendants of such individuals. In such case, the transferee or other
recipient shall receive and hold the Shares so transferred subject to the
provisions of this Right of First Refusal, and there shall be no further
transfer of such Shares except in accordance with the terms of this Right of
First Refusal.

                (h) Termination of Right of First Refusal. The provisions of
this Right of First Refusal shall terminate as to all Shares upon the
Registration Date.

                (i) Additional Shares or Substituted Securities. In the event of
any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares,
exchange of shares or other change affecting the outstanding Common Stock as a
class effected without the Company's receipt of consideration, any new,
substituted or additional securities or other property which is by reason of any
such transaction distributed with respect to the Shares shall be immediately
subject to the Right of First Refusal, but only to the extent the Shares are at
the time covered by such right.

                (j) Corporate Transaction. Immediately prior to the consummation
of a Corporate Transaction, the Right of First Refusal shall automatically lapse
in its entirety, except to the extent the Right of First Refusal is to be
assigned to the successor corporation (or its parent company) in connection with
such Corporate Transaction, the right shall apply to the new capital stock or
other property received in exchange for the Shares in consummation of the
Corporate Transaction, but only to the extent the Shares are at the time covered
by such right.

        12. Company's Repurchase Right.

                (a) Grant of Repurchase Right. The Company is hereby granted the
right (the "Repurchase Right"), exercisable at any time (i) during the sixty
(60) day period following the Termination Date, (ii) during the sixty (60) day
period following an exercise of the Option that occurs

                                       7
<PAGE>   20

after the Termination Date, or (iii) during the sixty (60) day period
immediately prior to a Corporate Transaction, or the merger of the Company into
or with a corporation that is a member of a "controlled group" (within the
meaning of Section 267(f) of the Code) of which the Company is a member, to
repurchase all or (at the discretion of the Company and with the consent of the
Optionee) any portion of the Shares.

                (b) Exercise of the Repurchase Right. The Repurchase Right shall
be exercisable by written notice delivered to each Holder of the Shares prior to
the expiration of the applicable sixty (60) day period specified above. The
notice shall indicate the number of Shares to be repurchased and the date on
which the repurchase is to be effected, such date to be not more than thirty
(30) days after the date of notice. On the date on which the repurchase is to be
effected, the Company and/or its assigns shall pay to the Holder in cash or cash
equivalents (including the cancellation of any purchase-money indebtedness) an
amount equal to the Fair Market Value on the Termination Date, if any, and if
none, on the date immediately prior to the day on which the repurchase is to be
effected, of the Shares which are to be repurchased from the Holder. Upon such
payment or into escrow for the benefit of the Holder, the Company and/or its
assigns shall become the legal and beneficial owner of the Shares being
repurchased and all rights and interest thereon or related thereto, and the
Company shall have the right to transfer to its own name or its assigns the
number of Shares being repurchased, without further action by the Holder.

                (c) Assignment. Whenever the Company shall have the right to
purchase Shares under this Repurchase Right, the Company may designate and
assign one or more employees, officers, directors or shareholders of the Company
or other persons or organizations, to exercise all or a part of the Company's
Repurchase Right.

                (d) Termination of the Repurchase Right. The Repurchase Right
shall terminate with respect to any Shares for which it is not timely exercised.
In addition, the Repurchase Right shall terminate, and cease to be exercisable,
with respect to all Shares upon the Registration Date.

                (e) Additional Shares or Substituted Securities. In the event of
any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares,
exchange of shares or other change affecting the outstanding Common Stock as a
class effected without the Company's receipt of consideration, any new,
substituted or additional securities or other property (including money paid
other than as a regular cash dividend) which is by reason of any such
transaction distributed with respect to the Shares shall be immediately subject
to the Repurchase Right, but only to the extent the Shares are at the time
covered by such right. Appropriate adjustments to reflect the distribution of
such securities or property shall be made to the price per share to be paid upon
the exercise of the Repurchase Right in order to reflect the effect of any such
transaction upon the Company's capital structure.

                (f) Corporate Transaction. Immediately prior to the consummation
of a Corporate Transaction, the Repurchase Right shall automatically lapse in
its entirety, except to the extent the Repurchase Right is to be assigned to the
successor corporation (or its parent company) in connection with such Corporate
Transaction, the right shall apply to the new capital stock or other property
(including cash paid other than as a regular cash dividend) received in exchange
for the Shares in consummation of the Corporate Transaction, but only to the
extent the Shares are at the time covered by such right. Appropriate adjustments
shall be made to the price per share payable upon exercise of the Repurchase
Right to reflect the effect of the Corporate Transaction upon the Company's
capital structure.

        13. Stop-Transfer Notices. In order to ensure compliance with the
restrictions on transfer referred to in the legends placed upon certificates
evidencing ownership of the Shares, the Company may

                                       8
<PAGE>   21

issue appropriate "stop transfer" instructions to its transfer agent, if any,
and, if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate
notations to the same effect in its own records.

        14. Refusal to Transfer. The Company shall not be required (i) to
transfer on its books any Shares that have been sold or otherwise transferred in
violation of any of the provisions of this Option Agreement or (ii) to treat as
owner of such Shares or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any
purchaser or other transferee to whom such Shares shall have been so
transferred.

        15. Tax Consequences. Set forth below is a brief summary as of the date
of this Option Agreement of some of the federal tax consequences of exercise of
the Option and disposition of the Shares. THIS SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY
INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THE OPTIONEE
SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING THE OPTION OR DISPOSING OF THE
SHARES.

                (a) Exercise of Incentive Stock Option. If the Option qualifies
as an Incentive Stock Option, there will be no regular federal income tax
liability upon the exercise of the Option, although the excess, if any, of the
Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price
will be treated as an adjustment to the alternative minimum tax for federal tax
purposes and may subject the Optionee to the alternative minimum tax in the year
of exercise.

                (b) Exercise of Incentive Stock Option Following Disability. If
the Optionee's Continuous Status as an Employee, Director or Consultant
terminates as a result of disability that is not total and permanent disability
as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, to the extent permitted on the date
of termination, the Optionee must exercise an Incentive Stock Option within
three (3) months of such termination for the Incentive Stock Option to be
qualified as an Incentive Stock Option.

                (c) Exercise of Non-Qualified Stock Option. There may be a
regular federal income tax liability upon the exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock
Option. The Optionee will be treated as having received compensation income
(taxable at ordinary income tax rates) equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair
Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the Exercise Price. If
the Optionee is an Employee or a former Employee, the Company will be required
to withhold from the Optionee's compensation or collect from the Optionee and
pay to the applicable taxing authorities an amount in cash equal to a percentage
of this compensation income at the time of exercise, and may refuse to honor the
exercise and refuse to deliver Shares if such withholding amounts are not
delivered at the time of exercise.

                (d) Disposition of Shares. In the case of a Non-Qualified Stock
Option, if Shares are held for at least one year, any gain realized on
disposition of the Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain for federal
income tax purposes and subject to tax at a maximum rate of 28%. For Shares held
more than 18 months, the maximum rate falls to 20%. If the Non-Qualified Stock
Option is exercised after December 31, 2000 and the Shares acquired upon such
exercise are held for more than five years, the maximum rate falls to 18%. In
the case of an Incentive Stock Option, if Shares transferred pursuant to the
Option are held for at least one year after receipt of the Shares and are
disposed of at least two years after the Date of Grant, any gain realized on
disposition of the Shares also will be treated as long-term capital gain for
federal income tax purposes and subject to the same tax rates and holding
periods that apply to Shares acquired upon exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock
Option. If Shares purchased under an Incentive Stock Option are disposed of
within such one-year or two-year periods, any gain realized on such disposition
will be treated as compensation income (taxable at ordinary income rates) to the
extent of the difference between the Exercise Price and the lesser of (i) the
Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise, or (ii) the sale price
of the Shares.

                                       9
<PAGE>   22

        16. Lock-Up Agreement.

                (a) Agreement. The Optionee, if requested by the Company and the
lead underwriter of any public offering of the Common Stock or other securities
of the Company (the "Lead Underwriter"), hereby irrevocably agrees not to sell,
contract to sell, grant any option to purchase, transfer the economic risk of
ownership in, make any short sale of, pledge or otherwise transfer or dispose of
any interest in any Common Stock or any securities convertible into or
exchangeable or exercisable for or any other rights to purchase or acquire
Common Stock (except Common Stock included in such public offering or acquired
on the public market after such offering) during the 180-day period following
the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or such shorter period of time as the Lead
Underwriter shall specify. The Optionee further agrees to sign such documents as
may be requested by the Lead Underwriter to effect the foregoing and agrees that
the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to such Common
Stock subject until the end of such period. The Company and the Optionee
acknowledge that each Lead Underwriter of a public offering of the Company's
stock, during the period of such offering and for the 180-day period thereafter,
is an intended beneficiary of this Section 16.

                (b) Permitted Transfers. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Section
16(a) shall not prohibit the Optionee from transferring any shares of Common
Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for the
Company's Common Stock to the extent such transfer is not otherwise prohibited
by this Option Agreement, either during the Optionee's lifetime or on death by
will or intestacy to the Optionee's immediate family or to a trust the
beneficiaries of which are exclusively the Optionee and/or a member or members
of the Optionee's immediate family; provided, however, that prior to any such
transfer, each transferee shall execute an agreement pursuant to which each
transferee shall agree to receive and hold such securities subject to the
provisions of Section 16 hereof. For the purposes of this subsection, the term
"immediate family" shall mean spouse, domestic partner (as determined by the
Administrator), child, lineal descendant or antecedent, father, mother, brother
or sister and the lineal descendants of such individuals.

                (c) No Amendment Without Consent of Underwriter. During the
period from identification as a Lead Underwriter in connection with any public
offering of the Company's Common Stock until the earlier of (i) the expiration
of the lock-up period specified in Section 16(a) in connection with such
offering or (ii) the abandonment of such offering by the Company and the Lead
Underwriter, the provisions of this Section 16 may not be amended or waived
except with the consent of the Lead Underwriter.

        17. Entire Agreement: Governing Law. The Notice of Stock Option Grant,
the Plan and this Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their
entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and the Optionee
with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to
the Optionee's interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and
Optionee. These agreements are governed by California law except for that body
of law pertaining to conflict of laws.

        18. Headings. The captions used in the Notice of Stock Option Grant and
this Option Agreement are inserted for convenience and shall not be deemed a
part of the Option for construction or interpretation.

        19. Interpretation. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of the
Notice of Stock Option Grant, the Plan, and this Option Agreement shall be
submitted by the Optionee or by the Company forthwith to the Board or the
Administrator that administers the Plan, which shall review such dispute at its
next regular meeting. The resolution of such dispute by the Board or the
Administrator shall be final and binding on all persons.

                                       10
<PAGE>   23

                                    EXHIBIT A

                  SABA SOFTWARE, INC. 1997 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

                                 EXERCISE NOTICE

Saba Software, Inc.

2400 Bridge Parkway

Redwood Shores, CA 94065-1166

Attention:  Secretary

        1. Exercise of Option. Effective as of today, ____________________,
________, the undersigned (the "Optionee") hereby elects to exercise the
Optionee's option to purchase ___________ shares of the Common Stock (the
"Shares") of Saba Software, Inc. (the "Company") under and pursuant to the
Company's 1997 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan") and the [ ] Incentive [ ]
Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement and Notice of Stock Option Grant dated
______________, ________ (the "Option Agreement").

        2. Representations of the Optionee. The Optionee acknowledges that the
Optionee has received, read and understood the Notice of Stock Option Grant, the
Plan and the Option Agreement and agrees to abide by and be bound by their terms
and conditions.

        3. Rights as Shareholder. Until the stock certificate evidencing such
Shares is 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 shareholder shall exist with
respect to the Shares, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company
shall issue (or cause to be issued) such stock certificate 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 stock certificate is issued,
except as provided in Section 11(a) of the Plan.

           The Optionee shall enjoy rights as a shareholder until such time as
the Optionee disposes of the Shares or the Company and/or its assignee(s)
exercises the Right of First Refusal or the Repurchase Right. Upon such
exercise, the Optionee shall have no further rights as a holder of the Shares so
purchased except the right to receive payment for the Shares so purchased in
accordance with the provisions of the Option Agreement, and the Optionee shall
forthwith cause the certificate(s) evidencing the Shares so purchased to be
surrendered to the Company for transfer or cancellation.

        4. Delivery of Payment. The Optionee herewith delivers to the Company
the full Exercise Price for the Shares.

        5. Tax Consultation. The Optionee understands that the Optionee may
suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of the Optionee's purchase or
disposition of the Shares. The Optionee represents that the Optionee has
consulted with any tax consultants the Optionee deems

                                       1

<PAGE>   24

advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that
the Optionee is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.

        6. Taxes. The Optionee agrees to satisfy all applicable federal, state
and local income and employment tax withholding obligations and herewith
delivers to the Company the full amount of such obligations or has made
arrangements acceptable to the Company to satisfy such obligations. In the case
of an Incentive Stock Option, the Optionee also agrees, as partial consideration
for the designation of the Option as an Incentive Stock Option, to notify the
Company in writing within thirty (30) days of any disposition of any shares
acquired by exercise of the Option if such disposition occurs within two (2)
years from the Grant Date or within one (1) year from the date the Shares were
transferred to the Optionee. If the Company is required to satisfy any federal,
state or local income or employment tax withholding obligations as a result of
such an early disposition, the Optionee agrees to satisfy the amount of such
withholding in a manner that the Administrator prescribes.

        7. Restrictive Legends. The Optionee understands and agrees that the
Company shall cause the legends set forth below or legends substantially
equivalent thereto, to be placed upon any certificate(s) evidencing ownership of
the Shares together with any other legends that may be required by the Company
or by state or federal securities laws:

                THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER
                THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "ACT") AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED,
                SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS
                AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OR, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL
                SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER OF THESE SECURITIES, SUCH OFFER, SALE
                OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IS IN COMPLIANCE THEREWITH.

                THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO
                CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER, A RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL AND A
                REPURCHASE RIGHT HELD BY THE ISSUER OR ITS ASSIGNEE(S) AS SET
                FORTH IN THE OPTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE ISSUER AND THE
                ORIGINAL HOLDER OF THESE SHARES, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED
                AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE ISSUER SUCH TRANSFER
                RESTRICTIONS, RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL AND REPURCHASE RIGHT ARE
                BINDING ON TRANSFEREES OF THESE SHARES.

        8. Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights
under this Exercise Notice to single or multiple assignees, and this agreement
shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject
to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Exercise Notice shall be
binding upon the Optionee and his or her heirs, executors, administrators,
successors and assigns.

                                       2

<PAGE>   25

        9. Headings. The captions used in this Exercise Notice are inserted for
convenience and shall not be deemed a part of this agreement for construction or
interpretation.

        10. Interpretation. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this
Exercise Notice shall be submitted by the Optionee or by the Company forthwith
to the Company's Board of Directors or the Administrator that administers the
Plan, which shall review such dispute at its next regular meeting. The
resolution of such a dispute by the Board or Administrator shall be final and
binding on all persons.

        11. Governing Law; Severability. This Exercise Notice shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California
excluding that body of law pertaining to conflicts of law. Should any provision
of this Exercise Notice be determined by a court of law to be illegal or
unenforceable, the other provisions shall nevertheless remain effective and
shall remain enforceable.

        12. Notices. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given
in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon
deposit in the United States mail by certified mail, with postage and fees
prepaid, addressed to the other party at its address as shown below beneath its
signature, or to such other address as such party may designate in writing from
time to time to the other party.

        13. Further Instruments. The parties agree to execute such further
instruments and to take such further action as may be reasonably necessary to
carry out the purposes and intent of this agreement.

        14. Entire Agreement. The Notice of Stock Option Grant, the Plan and the
Option Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and together with this
Exercise Notice constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to
the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings
and agreements of the Company and the Optionee with respect to the subject
matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Optionee's interest
except by means of a writing signed by the Company and the Optionee.

Submitted by:                           Accepted by:
OPTIONEE:                               SABA SOFTWARE, INC.

                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------

                                        Its:
---------------------------------           ------------------------------------
           (Signature)

Address:                                Address:

---------------------------------       2400 Bridge Parkway
---------------------------------       Redwood Shores, CA 94065-1166

Tel:
    -----------------------------

                                       3
<PAGE>   26

                                    EXHIBIT B

                  SABA SOFTWARE, INC. 1997 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

                       INVESTMENT REPRESENTATION STATEMENT

OPTIONEE:
                                        ----------------------------------------
COMPANY:                                SABA SOFTWARE, INC.

SECURITY:                               COMMON STOCK

NUMBER OF SHARES:
                                        ----------------------------------------

DATE:
                                        ----------------------------------------

In connection with the purchase of the above-listed Securities, the undersigned
Optionee represents to the Company the following:

                (a) Optionee is aware of the Company's business affairs and
financial condition and has acquired sufficient information about the Company to
reach an informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Securities. Optionee
is acquiring these Securities for investment for Optionee's own account only and
not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any "distribution" thereof
within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act").

                (b) Optionee acknowledges and understands that the Securities
constitute "restricted securities" under the Securities Act and have not been
registered under the Securities Act in reliance upon a specific exemption
therefrom, which exemption depends upon among other things, the bona fide nature
of Optionee's investment intent as expressed herein. In this connection,
Optionee understands that, in the view of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the statutory basis for such exemption may be unavailable if
Optionee's representation was predicated solely upon a present intention to hold
these Securities for the minimum capital gains period specified under tax
statutes, for a deferred sale, for or until an increase or decrease in the
market price of the Securities, or for a period of one year or any other fixed
period in the future. Optionee further understands that the Securities must be
held indefinitely unless they are subsequently registered under the Securities
Act or an exemption from such registration is available. Optionee further
acknowledges and understands that the Company is under no obligation to register
the Securities. Optionee understands that the certificate evidencing the
Securities will be imprinted with a legend which prohibits the transfer of the
Securities unless they are registered or such registration is not required in
the opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company.

                (c) Optionee is familiar with the provisions of Rule 701 and
Rule 144, each promulgated under the Securities Act, which, in substance, permit
limited public resale of "restricted securities" acquired, directly or
indirectly from the issuer thereof, in a non-public

                                       1
<PAGE>   27

offering subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Rule 701 provides
that if the issuer qualifies under Rule 701 at the time of the grant of the
Option to the Optionee, the exercise will be exempt from registration under the
Securities Act. In the event the Company becomes subject to the reporting
requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
ninety (90) days thereafter (or such longer period as any market stand-off
agreement may require) the Securities exempt under Rule 701 may be resold,
subject to the satisfaction of certain of the conditions specified by Rule 144,
including: (1) the resale being made through a broker in an unsolicited
"broker's transaction" or in transactions directly with a market maker (as said
term is defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934); and, in the case of
an affiliate, (2) the availability of certain public information about the
Company, (3) the amount of Securities being sold during any three month period
not exceeding the limitations specified in Rule 144(e), and (4) the timely
filing of a Form 144, if applicable.

        In the event that the Company does not qualify under Rule 701 at the
time of grant of the Option, then the Securities may be resold in certain
limited circumstances subject to the provisions of Rule 144, which requires the
resale to occur not less than one year after the later of the date the
Securities were sold by the Company or the date the Securities were sold by an
affiliate of the Company, within the meaning of Rule 144; and, in the case of
acquisition of the Securities by an affiliate, or by a non-affiliate who
subsequently holds the Securities less than two years, the satisfaction of the
conditions set forth in sections (1), (2), (3) and (4) of the paragraph
immediately above.

                (d) Optionee further understands that in the event all of the
applicable requirements of Rule 701 or 144 are not satisfied, registration under
the Securities Act, compliance with Regulation A, or some other registration
exemption will be required; and that, notwithstanding the fact that Rules 144
and 701 are not exclusive, the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission
has expressed its opinion that persons proposing to sell private placement
securities other than in a registered offering and otherwise than pursuant to
Rules 144 or 701 will have a substantial burden of proof in establishing that an
exemption from registration is available for such offers or sales, and that such
persons and their respective brokers who participate in such transactions do so
at their own risk. Optionee understands that no assurances can be given that any
such other registration exemption will be available in such event.

                                        Signature of Optionee:

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

                                        Date:                      ,
                                             ----------------------  -----------

                                       2

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