March 3, 2005 Ms. Deborah Traub 707 S. Sierra #7 Solana Beach, CA 92075 RE: Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement Dear Deborah:

QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 10.78

March 3, 2005

Xx. Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
000 X. Xxxxxx #0
Xxxxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000

RE: Amendment to Executive Employment Agreement

Dear Xxxxxxx:

This letter sets forth the agreement between you and Peregrine Systems, Inc. (the "Company") to amend the terms of the Executive Employment Agreement between you and the Company, dated as of July 1, 2002 (the "Employment Agreement"), as set forth herein (the "Amendment").

The Company and the Executive hereby agree that effective as of February 22, 2005:

1. The second sentence of Section 7.2 of the Employment Agreement shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

"In the event of such termination without Cause, Executive will be entitled to receive a "Severance Payment" equivalent to the sum of (i) twelve months of Executive's Base Salary then in effect on the date of termination plus (ii) Executive's target annual bonus under the MICP or successor plan, payable in accordance with Company's regular payroll cycle, provided that Executive: (a) complies with all surviving provisions of this Agreement as specified in subsection 13.8 below; (b) executes a full general release acceptable to Company, releasing all claims, known or unknown, that Executive may have against Company arising out of or any way related to Executive's employment or termination of employment with Company; (c) agrees to provide transition assistance to Company, without further compensation, for three months following the termination of the employment relationship by Company; and (d) agrees, without further compensation, to provide information and assistance as may reasonably be required in connection with litigation in which the Company or Executive is a party."

2. A new Section 7.4 shall be added to the Employment Agreement and shall provide the following:

"Section 7.4 Termination By Executive For Good Reason/Severance. Executive may terminate Executive's employment upon thirty (30) days' advance written notice for Good Reason (as defined below). In the event of such termination for Good Reason, Executive will be entitled to receive the Severance Payment described in subsection 7.2, provided that Executive: (a) complies with all surviving provisions of this Agreement as specified in subsection 13.8 below; (b) executes a full general release acceptable to Company, releasing all claims, known or unknown, that Executive may have against Company arising out of or any way related to Executive's employment or termination of employment with Company; and (c) agrees, without further compensation, to provide information and assistance as may reasonably be required in connection with litigation in which the Company or Executive is a party. In addition to the Severance Payment, Company shall pay for Executive's COBRA coverage during the payout period of the Severance Payment. All other Company obligations to Executive will be automatically terminated and completely extinguished.

For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" is defined as: (a) a relocation of Executive's principal place of employment of more than 50 miles without consent of Executive; (b) a material diminution of Executive's duties or responsibilities; provided that a mere change in the Executive's title or reporting relationships will not be Good Reason or (c) a material

reduction in Executive's compensation (other than equity-based compensation) or employee benefits other than as part of general reduction compensation or benefits of all similarly situated Company executives."

3. Except as modified by this Amendment, the Employment Agreement shall remain unchanged and shall remain in full force and effect.