<PAGE>   1





    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 25, 1997
                                        Registration No. 333-

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     Under
                           The Securities Act of 1933

                                 NOVADIGM, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
                  <S>                                                 <C>
                          Delaware                                               22-3160347
         ------------------------------------------               ------------------------------------------
                  (State of incorporation)                            (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
</TABLE>
                        
                                185 Berry Street
                                   Suite 3515
                            San Francisco, CA 94107
                                 (415) 541-8420
 (Address, including zip code, and telephone number of Registrant's principal
                              executive offices)

                             1992 STOCK OPTION PLAN
                            (Full title of the plan)


                              Albion J. Fitzgerald
                     President and Chief Executive Officer
                                 Novadigm, Inc.
                                185 Berry Street
                                   Suite 3515
                            San Francisco, CA 94107
                                 (201) 512-1000
    (Name, address, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for
                                   service)

                                   Copies to:
                            DOUGLAS H. COLLOM, ESQ.
                       WILSON, SONSINI, GOODRICH & ROSATI
                            PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
                               650 PAGE MILL ROAD
                              PALO ALTO, CA 94306
                                 (415) 493-9300




                                 CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
=====================================================================================================================
<CAPTION>                                                               
                                                                   Proposed           Proposed 
                                                                    Maximum            Maximum
         Title of Each Class                    Amount              Offering           Aggregate       Amount of
           of Securities to                     to be                Price             Offering       Registration
            be Registered                     Registered          Per Share (1)         Price             Fee
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   <S>                                          <C>                  <C>                <C>            <C>
   Common Stock, $0.001 par value               1,500,000            $4.44              $6,656,250     $2,018.18

=====================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
 (1) Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(c) solely for the purpose of
     calculating the registration fee based upon the average of the high and low
     prices of the Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market on
     March 24, 1997.
<PAGE>   2

        The contents of the Registrant's Form S-8 and S-3 Registration
Statement (Registration No. 333-00224) dated January 10, 1996 are incorporated
herein by reference.


                                    PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT


ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                Exhibit
                Number            Document
                -------           --------
                   <S>                <C>
                    4.1*              1992 Stock Option Plan and form of option agreement.

                    5.1               Opinion of Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati, a Professional Corporation.
                   23.1               Consent of Independent Public Accountants.
                   23.2               Consent of Counsel (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
                   24.1               Power of Attorney (see page II-4).
</TABLE>


*     Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-92746) in the form declared
effective on July 13, 1995.
<PAGE>   3
                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant, Novadigm, Inc., certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe
that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly
caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Francisco, State of
California, on this 24th day of March, 1997.


                             NOVADIGM, INC.


                             By: /s/ Wallace D. Ruiz
                             --------------------------------------
                             Wallace D. Ruiz
                             Vice President, Finance, Treasurer, and
                             Chief Financial Officer  (Principal Financial and
                             Accounting Officer)




                                      II-3
<PAGE>   4
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

                   KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose
signature appears below constitutes and appoints Wallace D. Ruiz as his
attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for him in any and all
capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement on
Form S-8 (including post-effective amendments), and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
said attorney-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

                   PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,
THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 <S>                                  <C>                                               <C>
         Signature                                   Title                                Date
 ----------------------------       ---------------------------------------------     -------------
 
s/ Albion J. Fitzgerald            Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer    March 24, 1997
 -----------------------------        and President (Principal Executive Officer)
 (Albion J. Fitzgerald)


 /s/ Wallace D. Ruiz                 Vice President Finance, Treasurer and Chief       March 24, 1997
 -----------------------------       Financial Officer (Principal Financial and
 (Wallace D. Ruiz)                   Accounting Officer)


 /s/ Robert B. Anderson              Executive Vice President, Chief Operating         March 24, 1997
 -----------------------------       Officer, Secretary and Director
 (Robert B. Anderson)

 /s/ Dennis DeCoste                  Director                                          March 24, 1997
-----------------------------
 (Dennis DeCoste)


 /s/ Michele Axelson                 Director                                          March 24, 1997
-----------------------------
 (Michele Axelson)


 /s/ H. Kent Petzold                 Director                                          March 24, 1997
-----------------------------
 (H. Kent Petzold)
</TABLE>





                                      II-4
<PAGE>   5





                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                            Washington, D.C.  20549



                      ___________________________________

                                    EXHIBITS

                      ___________________________________


                       Registration Statement on Form S-8

                                 Novadigm, Inc.
<PAGE>   6
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     Sequentially
   Exhibit                                                                                             Numbered
   Number                                           Exhibit                                              Page    
   ------                                           -------                                          ------------
      <S>     <C>
       4.1*   1992 Stock Option Plan and form of option agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          -

       5.1    Opinion of Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati, a Professional Corporation . . . . .          7

      23.1    Consent of Independent Public Accountants   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          8
 
      23.2    Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5.1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          -

      24.1    Power of Attorney (see page II-4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          - 
</TABLE>


*   Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Company's Registration
    Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-92746) in the form declared effective on
    July 13, 1995.
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 9872}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "NOVADIGM INC", "cik": "0000888358", "assigned-sic": "7372", "irs-number": "223160347", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "0331"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-23951", "film-number": "97562953"}, "business-address": {"street1": "185 BERRY ST", "street2": "STE 3515", "city": "SAN FRANCISCO", "state": "CA", "zip": "94107", "phone": "4155418420"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "185 BERRY ST", "street2": "STE 3515", "city": "SAN FRANCISCO", "state": "CA", "zip": "94107"}}
1

    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 25, 1997
                                        Registration No. 333-

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     Under
                           The Securities Act of 1933

                                 NOVADIGM, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware                                               22-3160347
         ------------------------------------------               ------------------------------------------
                  (State of incorporation)                            (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
185 Berry Street
                                   Suite 3515
                            San Francisco, CA 94107
                                 (415) 541-8420
 (Address, including zip code, and telephone number of Registrant's principal
                              executive offices)

                             1992 STOCK OPTION PLAN
                            (Full title of the plan)

                              Albion J. Fitzgerald
                     President and Chief Executive Officer
                                 Novadigm, Inc.
                                185 Berry Street
                                   Suite 3515
                            San Francisco, CA 94107
                                 (201) 512-1000
    (Name, address, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for
                                   service)

                                   Copies to:
                            DOUGLAS H. COLLOM, ESQ.
                       WILSON, SONSINI, GOODRICH & ROSATI
                            PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
                               650 PAGE MILL ROAD
                              PALO ALTO, CA 94306
                                 (415) 493-9300

                                 CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

=====================================================================================================================
Proposed           Proposed 
                                                                    Maximum            Maximum
         Title of Each Class                    Amount              Offering           Aggregate       Amount of
           of Securities to                     to be                Price             Offering       Registration
            be Registered                     Registered          Per Share (1)         Price             Fee
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock, $0.001 par value               1,500,000            $4.44              $6,656,250     $2,018.18

=====================================================================================================================
(1) Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(c) solely for the purpose of
     calculating the registration fee based upon the average of the high and low
     prices of the Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market on
     March 24, 1997.
2

        The contents of the Registrant's Form S-8 and S-3 Registration
Statement (Registration No. 333-00224) dated January 10, 1996 are incorporated
herein by reference.

                                    PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.
Exhibit
                Number            Document
                -------           --------
4.1*              1992 Stock Option Plan and form of option agreement.

                    5.1               Opinion of Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati, a Professional Corporation.
                   23.1               Consent of Independent Public Accountants.
                   23.2               Consent of Counsel (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
                   24.1               Power of Attorney (see page II-4).
*     Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-92746) in the form declared
effective on July 13, 1995.
3
                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant, Novadigm, Inc., certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe
that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly
caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Francisco, State of
California, on this 24th day of March, 1997.

                             NOVADIGM, INC.

                             By: /s/ Wallace D. Ruiz
                             --------------------------------------
                             Wallace D. Ruiz
                             Vice President, Finance, Treasurer, and
                             Chief Financial Officer  (Principal Financial and
                             Accounting Officer)

                                      II-3
4
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

                   KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose
signature appears below constitutes and appoints Wallace D. Ruiz as his
attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for him in any and all
capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement on
Form S-8 (including post-effective amendments), and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
said attorney-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be
done by virtue hereof.

                   PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,
THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED.
Signature                                   Title                                Date
 ----------------------------       ---------------------------------------------     -------------
 
s/ Albion J. Fitzgerald            Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer    March 24, 1997
 -----------------------------        and President (Principal Executive Officer)
 (Albion J. Fitzgerald)

 /s/ Wallace D. Ruiz                 Vice President Finance, Treasurer and Chief       March 24, 1997
 -----------------------------       Financial Officer (Principal Financial and
 (Wallace D. Ruiz)                   Accounting Officer)

 /s/ Robert B. Anderson              Executive Vice President, Chief Operating         March 24, 1997
 -----------------------------       Officer, Secretary and Director
 (Robert B. Anderson)

 /s/ Dennis DeCoste                  Director                                          March 24, 1997
-----------------------------
 (Dennis DeCoste)

 /s/ Michele Axelson                 Director                                          March 24, 1997
-----------------------------
 (Michele Axelson)

 /s/ H. Kent Petzold                 Director                                          March 24, 1997
-----------------------------
 (H. Kent Petzold)
II-4
5

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                            Washington, D.C.  20549

                      ___________________________________

                                    EXHIBITS

                      ___________________________________

                       Registration Statement on Form S-8

                                 Novadigm, Inc.
6
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Sequentially
   Exhibit                                                                                             Numbered
   Number                                           Exhibit                                              Page    
   ------                                           -------                                          ------------
4.1*   1992 Stock Option Plan and form of option agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          -

       5.1    Opinion of Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati, a Professional Corporation . . . . .          7

      23.1    Consent of Independent Public Accountants   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          8
 
      23.2    Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5.1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          -

      24.1    Power of Attorney (see page II-4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          -
*   Incorporated by reference to exhibit filed with the Company's Registration
    Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-92746) in the form declared effective on
    July 13, 1995.