QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. §1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

        In connection with the Annual Report of Lawson Software, Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the period ended May 31, 2003 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, John J. Coughlan, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1.

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and



2.

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ JOHN J. COUGHLAN John J. Coughlan
President and Chief Executive Officer

July 29, 2003

        A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Lawson Software, Inc. and will be retained by Lawson Software, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

QuickLinks

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. §1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002