<PAGE>
 
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 12, 1996
                                                     Registration No. 333-______
================================================================================

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549
                          --------------------------

                                   FORM S-8

                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     Under
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                          --------------------------

                       WORKGROUP TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

        Delaware                                          04-3153644
    ----------------                                 -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of             (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization) 
                                

                     81 Hartwell Ave., Lexington, MA 02173
                     -------------------------------------
              (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

                                1992 STOCK PLAN
                                ---------------

                           (Full title of the plan)
                          --------------------------

                                JAMES M. CARNEY
                     President and Chief Executive Officer
                       Workgroup Technology Corporation
                               81 Hartwell Ave.
                             Lexington, MA  02173
                                (617) 674-2000
            (Name, address including zip code and telephone number,
                  including area code, of agent for service)
                          --------------------------
                                   Copy to:
                             Andrew E. Taylor, Jr.
                        Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP
                               High Street Tower
                                125 High Street
                               Boston, MA  02110
                                (617) 248-7000

                     Total of Sequentially Numbered Pages:
                 Exhibit Index on Sequentially Numbered Page:
================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 Proposed      Proposed
    Title of                     Maximum       Maximum
   Securities        Amount      Offering     Aggregate      Amount of
     to be           to be       Price Per     Offering     Registration
   Registered      Registered      Share        Price           Fee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                <C>         <C>           <C>            <C>
1992 Stock Plan
Common Stock,
$.01 par value        159,347       $.15(1)     $23,302.05         $8.24
                      820,980        .30(1)     246,294.00         84.93
                      100,185       1.95(1)     195,360.75         67.37
                      140,870       8.50(1)   1,137,395.00        412.89
 
Total               1,221,382                 1,602,351.80        506.06
================================================================================
</TABLE>

(1)  All such shares are issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options at
fixed exercise prices. Pursuant to Rule 457(h)(1), the aggregate offering price
and the fees have been computed upon the basis of the price at which the options
may be exercised.
================================================================================

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART I

             INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS


Item 1.  Plan Information.
         ---------------- 

         The documents containing the information specified in this Item 1 will
be sent or given to employees as specified by Rule 428(b) of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). In accordance with the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and the
instructions to Form S-8, such documents are not being filed with the Commission
either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus
supplements pursuant to Rule 424.

Item 2.  Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.
         ----------------------------------------------------------- 

         The documents containing the information specified in this Item 2 will
be sent or given to employees as specified by Rule 428(b). In accordance with
the rules and regulations of the Commission and the instructions to Form S-8,
such documents are not being filed with the Commission either as part of this
Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to
Rule 424.


                                    PART II

              INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

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

         The following documents filed with the Commission pursuant to the
Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") are
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement as of their respective
dates:

         (a)  The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
              ended March 31, 1996, filed pursuant to the Exchange Act which
              contains audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended
              March 31, 1996; and

         (b)  The section entitled "Description of Registrant's Securities to be
              Registered" contained in the Registrant's Registration Statement
              on Form 8-A, filed pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Securities
              Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), on February
              20, 1996, and incorporating by reference the information contained
              in the Form S-1.

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

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
Item 4.  Description of Securities.
         ------------------------- 

         Not applicable.

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

         Not applicable.

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

         The Delaware General Corporation Law and the Registrant's Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation provide for indemnification of the
Registrant's directors and officers for liabilities and expenses that they may
incur in such capacities.  In general, directors and officers are indemnified
with respect to actions taken in good faith in a manner reasonably believed to
be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Registrant, and with respect
to any criminal action or proceeding, actions that the indemnitee had no
reasonable cause to believe were unlawful.  Reference is made to the
Registrant's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed as Exhibit
3.3 to the Registrant's Registration Statement No. 333-00810 on Form S-1, as
amended.

         The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Underwriters are
obligated, under certain circumstances, to indemnify directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Registrant against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act. Reference is made to the form of
Underwriting Agreement filed as Exhibit 1.1 to the Registrant's Registration
Statement No. 333-00810 on Form S-1, as amended.

         The Registrant maintains directors and officers liability insurance for
the benefit of its directors and certain of its officers.

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

         Not applicable.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
Item 8.  Exhibits
         --------

         Exhibit No.   Description of Exhibit
         -----------   ----------------------

         Exhibit 4.1   Specimen certificate representing the Common Stock of the
                       Registrant (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant's
                       Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-00810)
                       and incorporated herein by reference).

         Exhibit 4.2   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
                       Registrant (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Registrant's
                       Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-00810)
                       and incorporated herein by reference).

         Exhibit 4.3   By-laws of the Registrant as amended (filed as Exhibit
                       3.4 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1
                       (File No. 333-00810) and incorporated herein by
                       reference).

         Exhibit 4.4   1992 Stock Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant's
                       Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-00810)
                       and incorporated herein by reference).

         Exhibit 4.5   1992 Stock Plan Stock Option Agreement (filed herewith).

         Exhibit 5.1   Opinion of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP (filed
                       herewith).

         Exhibit 23.1  Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. (filed herewith).

         Exhibit 23.2  Consent of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP (included in
                       Exhibit 5.1).

         Exhibit 24.1  Power of Attorney (included as part of the signature page
                       to this Registration Statement).

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

         (a)   The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

               (1)     To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
                       being made, a post-effective amendment to this
                       Registration Statement:

                       (i)     To include any prospectus required by Section
                               10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

                       (ii)    To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
                               arising after the effective date of this
                               Registration Statement (or the most recent post-
                               effective amendment thereof) which, individually
                               or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
                               change in the information set forth in this
                               Registration Statement;

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                       (iii)   To include any material information with respect
                               to the plan of distribution not previously
                               disclosed in this Registration Statement or any
                               material change to such information in this
                               Registration Statement;

                       provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and
                       (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be
                       included in a post-effective amendment by those
                       paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or
                       furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to
                       Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
                       1934 that are incorporated by reference in this
                       Registration Statement.

               (2)     That, for the purpose of determining any liability under
                       the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective
                       amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
                       statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
                       the offering of such securities at that time shall be
                       deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

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

         (b)   The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes
of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of
the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

         (c)   Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 6 of this
Registration Statement, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in
the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is,
therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the questions whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant, Workgroup Technology Corporation, 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 Town of Lexington,
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on this 12th day of September, 1996.


                                        Workgroup Technology Corporation



                                        By: /s/ James M. Carney
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           James M. Carney
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each such person whose
signature appears below constitutes and appoints, jointly and severally, James
M. Carney and George R. McHorney his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of
substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any 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 each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or
substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
         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>
 
 
         Signature                        Title                      Date
         ---------                        -----                      ----       
<S>                          <C>                              <C>
 
 
/s/ James M. Carney          President, Chief Executive       September 12, 1996
- ---------------------------  Officer and Director
James M. Carney              (Principal Executive Officer)
                             
                             
/s/ George R. McHorney       Executive Vice President,        September 12, 1996
- ---------------------------  Chief Financial Officer and
George R. McHorney           Treasurer (Principal Financial
                             and Accounting Officer)
                             
                             
/s/ Stephen J. Gaal          Director                         September 12, 1996
- ---------------------------  
Stephen J. Gaal              
                             
/s/ Shaun McConnon           Director                         September 12, 1996
- ---------------------------  
Shaun McConnon               
                             
/s/ Ernest C. Parizeau       Director                         September 12, 1996
- ---------------------------  
Ernest C. Parizeau           
 
 
</TABLE>

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                         Sequentially  
Exhibit                    Description of Exhibit        Numbered Page 
- -------                    ----------------------        ------------- 
<S>                 <C>                                  <C>
Exhibit 4.1         Specimen certificate representing
                    the Common Stock of the Registrant
                    (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to
                    Registrant's Registration Statement
                    on Form S-1 (File No. 333-00810)
                    and incorporated herein by
                    reference).

Exhibit 4.2         Amended and Restated Certificate of
                    Incorporation of the Registrant
                    (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to
                    Registrant's Registration Statement
                    on Form S-1 (File No. 333-00810)
                    and incorporated herein by
                    reference).

Exhibit 4.3         Amended and Restated By-laws of the
                    Registrant (filed as Exhibit 3.4 to
                    Registrant's Registration Statement
                    on Form S-1 (File No. 333-00810)
                    and incorporated herein by
                    reference).

Exhibit 4.4         1992 Stock Plan (filed as Exhibit
                    10.1 to Registrant's Registration
                    Statement on Form S-1 (File No.
                    333-00810) and incorporated herein
                    by reference).

Exhibit 4.5         1992 Stock Plan Stock Option
                    Agreement(filed herewith).

Exhibit 5.1         Opinion of Testa, Hurwitz &
                    Thibeault, LLP (filed herewith).

Exhibit 23.1        Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
                    (filed herewith).

Exhibit 23.2        Consent of Testa, Hurwitz &
                    Thibeault, LLP (included in Exhibit
                    5.1).

Exhibit 24.1        Power of Attorney (included as part
                    of the signature page to this
                    Registration Statement).
 
</TABLE>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 20429}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "WORKGROUP TECHNOLOGY CORP", "cik": "0001007021", "assigned-sic": "7372", "irs-number": "043153644", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "0331"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-11869", "film-number": "96629319"}, "business-address": {"street1": "81 HARTWELL AVE", "city": "LEXINGTON", "state": "MA", "zip": "02173", "phone": "6176742000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "81 HARTWELL AVE", "city": "LEXINGTON", "state": "MA", "zip": "02173"}}
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 12, 1996
                                                     Registration No. 333-______
================================================================================

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549
                          --------------------------

                                   FORM S-8

                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     Under
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                          --------------------------

                       WORKGROUP TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

        Delaware                                          04-3153644
    ----------------                                 -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of             (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization) 
                                

                     81 Hartwell Ave., Lexington, MA 02173
                     -------------------------------------
              (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

                                1992 STOCK PLAN
                                ---------------

                           (Full title of the plan)
                          --------------------------

                                JAMES M. CARNEY
                     President and Chief Executive Officer
                       Workgroup Technology Corporation
                               81 Hartwell Ave.
                             Lexington, MA  02173
                                (617) 674-2000
            (Name, address including zip code and telephone number,
                  including area code, of agent for service)
                          --------------------------
                                   Copy to:
                             Andrew E. Taylor, Jr.
                        Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP
                               High Street Tower
                                125 High Street
                               Boston, MA  02110
                                (617) 248-7000

                     Total of Sequentially Numbered Pages:
                 Exhibit Index on Sequentially Numbered Page:
================================================================================
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
================================================================================
Proposed      Proposed
    Title of                     Maximum       Maximum
   Securities        Amount      Offering     Aggregate      Amount of
     to be           to be       Price Per     Offering     Registration
   Registered      Registered      Share        Price           Fee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1992 Stock Plan
Common Stock,
$.01 par value        159,347       $.15(1)     $23,302.05         $8.24
                      820,980        .30(1)     246,294.00         84.93
                      100,185       1.95(1)     195,360.75         67.37
                      140,870       8.50(1)   1,137,395.00        412.89
 
Total               1,221,382                 1,602,351.80        506.06
================================================================================
(1)  All such shares are issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options at
fixed exercise prices. Pursuant to Rule 457(h)(1), the aggregate offering price
and the fees have been computed upon the basis of the price at which the options
may be exercised.
================================================================================

                                       2
PART I

             INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

Item 1.  Plan Information.
         ---------------- 

         The documents containing the information specified in this Item 1 will
be sent or given to employees as specified by Rule 428(b) of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). In accordance with the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and the
instructions to Form S-8, such documents are not being filed with the Commission
either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus
supplements pursuant to Rule 424.

Item 2.  Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.
         ----------------------------------------------------------- 

         The documents containing the information specified in this Item 2 will
be sent or given to employees as specified by Rule 428(b). In accordance with
the rules and regulations of the Commission and the instructions to Form S-8,
such documents are not being filed with the Commission either as part of this
Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to
Rule 424.

                                    PART II

              INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

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

         The following documents filed with the Commission pursuant to the
Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") are
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement as of their respective
dates:

         (a)  The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
              ended March 31, 1996, filed pursuant to the Exchange Act which
              contains audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended
              March 31, 1996; and

         (b)  The section entitled "Description of Registrant's Securities to be
              Registered" contained in the Registrant's Registration Statement
              on Form 8-A, filed pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Securities
              Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), on February
              20, 1996, and incorporating by reference the information contained
              in the Form S-1.

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

                                       3
Item 4.  Description of Securities.
         ------------------------- 

         Not applicable.

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

         Not applicable.

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

         The Delaware General Corporation Law and the Registrant's Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation provide for indemnification of the
Registrant's directors and officers for liabilities and expenses that they may
incur in such capacities.  In general, directors and officers are indemnified
with respect to actions taken in good faith in a manner reasonably believed to
be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Registrant, and with respect
to any criminal action or proceeding, actions that the indemnitee had no
reasonable cause to believe were unlawful.  Reference is made to the
Registrant's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed as Exhibit
3.3 to the Registrant's Registration Statement No. 333-00810 on Form S-1, as
amended.

         The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Underwriters are
obligated, under certain circumstances, to indemnify directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Registrant against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act. Reference is made to the form of
Underwriting Agreement filed as Exhibit 1.1 to the Registrant's Registration
Statement No. 333-00810 on Form S-1, as amended.

         The Registrant maintains directors and officers liability insurance for
the benefit of its directors and certain of its officers.

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

         Not applicable.

                                       4
Item 8.  Exhibits
         --------

         Exhibit No.   Description of Exhibit
         -----------   ----------------------

         Exhibit 4.1   Specimen certificate representing the Common Stock of the
                       Registrant (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant's
                       Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-00810)
                       and incorporated herein by reference).

         Exhibit 4.2   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
                       Registrant (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Registrant's
                       Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-00810)
                       and incorporated herein by reference).

         Exhibit 4.3   By-laws of the Registrant as amended (filed as Exhibit
                       3.4 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1
                       (File No. 333-00810) and incorporated herein by
                       reference).

         Exhibit 4.4   1992 Stock Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant's
                       Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-00810)
                       and incorporated herein by reference).

         Exhibit 4.5   1992 Stock Plan Stock Option Agreement (filed herewith).

         Exhibit 5.1   Opinion of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP (filed
                       herewith).

         Exhibit 23.1  Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. (filed herewith).

         Exhibit 23.2  Consent of Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP (included in
                       Exhibit 5.1).

         Exhibit 24.1  Power of Attorney (included as part of the signature page
                       to this Registration Statement).

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

         (a)   The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

               (1)     To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
                       being made, a post-effective amendment to this
                       Registration Statement:

                       (i)     To include any prospectus required by Section
                               10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

                       (ii)    To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
                               arising after the effective date of this
                               Registration Statement (or the most recent post-
                               effective amendment thereof) which, individually
                               or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
                               change in the information set forth in this
                               Registration Statement;

                                       5
(iii)   To include any material information with respect
                               to the plan of distribution not previously
                               disclosed in this Registration Statement or any
                               material change to such information in this
                               Registration Statement;

                       provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and
                       (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be
                       included in a post-effective amendment by those
                       paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or
                       furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to
                       Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
                       1934 that are incorporated by reference in this
                       Registration Statement.

               (2)     That, for the purpose of determining any liability under
                       the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective
                       amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
                       statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
                       the offering of such securities at that time shall be
                       deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

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

         (b)   The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes
of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of
the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

         (c)   Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 6 of this
Registration Statement, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in
the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is,
therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the questions whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.

                                       6
SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant, Workgroup Technology Corporation, 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 Town of Lexington,
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on this 12th day of September, 1996.

                                        Workgroup Technology Corporation

                                        By: /s/ James M. Carney
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           James M. Carney
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each such person whose
signature appears below constitutes and appoints, jointly and severally, James
M. Carney and George R. McHorney his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of
substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any 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 each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or
substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                                       7
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/ James M. Carney          President, Chief Executive       September 12, 1996
- ---------------------------  Officer and Director
James M. Carney              (Principal Executive Officer)
                             
                             
/s/ George R. McHorney       Executive Vice President,        September 12, 1996
- ---------------------------  Chief Financial Officer and
George R. McHorney           Treasurer (Principal Financial
                             and Accounting Officer)
                             
                             
/s/ Stephen J. Gaal          Director                         September 12, 1996
- ---------------------------  
Stephen J. Gaal              
                             
/s/ Shaun McConnon           Director                         September 12, 1996
- ---------------------------  
Shaun McConnon               
                             
/s/ Ernest C. Parizeau       Director                         September 12, 1996
- ---------------------------  
Ernest C. Parizeau
8
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Sequentially  
Exhibit                    Description of Exhibit        Numbered Page 
- -------                    ----------------------        -------------
Exhibit 4.1         Specimen certificate representing
                    the Common Stock of the Registrant
                    (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to
                    Registrant's Registration Statement
                    on Form S-1 (File No. 333-00810)
                    and incorporated herein by
                    reference).

Exhibit 4.2         Amended and Restated Certificate of
                    Incorporation of the Registrant
                    (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to
                    Registrant's Registration Statement
                    on Form S-1 (File No. 333-00810)
                    and incorporated herein by
                    reference).

Exhibit 4.3         Amended and Restated By-laws of the
                    Registrant (filed as Exhibit 3.4 to
                    Registrant's Registration Statement
                    on Form S-1 (File No. 333-00810)
                    and incorporated herein by
                    reference).

Exhibit 4.4         1992 Stock Plan (filed as Exhibit
                    10.1 to Registrant's Registration
                    Statement on Form S-1 (File No.
                    333-00810) and incorporated herein
                    by reference).

Exhibit 4.5         1992 Stock Plan Stock Option
                    Agreement(filed herewith).

Exhibit 5.1         Opinion of Testa, Hurwitz &
                    Thibeault, LLP (filed herewith).

Exhibit 23.1        Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
                    (filed herewith).

Exhibit 23.2        Consent of Testa, Hurwitz &
                    Thibeault, LLP (included in Exhibit
                    5.1).

Exhibit 24.1        Power of Attorney (included as part
                    of the signature page to this
                    Registration Statement).