Meet Farha Navid, Test
Manager with Sogeti

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? 

I am originally from Hyderabad, India. After earning my engineering degree, I started my IT career in Bangalore. Later, I moved to Dublin for a Master’s in Data Analytics from Dublin Business School (DBS). 

I love travelling and spending time in nature. I enjoy exploring different cultures, cuisines, and environments, and meeting new people. The quote ‘The day you stop exploring, you stop living’ resonates with me deeply; it’s essentially my mantra! I also enjoy photography, cooking, and engaging in activities that challenge me to learn and grow. 

Can you give us an overview of your career to date?

With over 12 years in IT, I have spent the last 7 years specializing in test management, including the past 3 years with Sogeti Ireland. I manage testing activities for clients, focusing on the finance sector, particularly banking and wealth management, and have also worked on the public sector, e-commerce, and healthcare projects.  

My expertise is in functional, non-functional, automation, and ETL/DWH/BI testing and I am also Prince2 certified. My role involves crafting test strategies, managing resources, and ensuring high-quality deliverables for clients. For one such client managed to reduce regression cycles by 60% and decreased manual labour by 30% through innovative automation solutions. 

In addition to this, I also oversee team management, performance evaluations, and support employee growth through coaching and mentoring.   

What are 3 Key projects you have been involved in? 

• Program Test Manager for a leading financial services client: Developed test strategies and managed resources for a CRM MS Dynamics project. 
• Test Manager for a public sector payments project: Implemented an automation framework that reduced regression cycle times and manual effort.
• Test Manager for a financial services project in the automobile sector: Led testing efforts for a CRM application, aligning with business objectives and timelines. 

Have you a career highlight? 

Definitely! My most memorable moment at Sogeti was being nominated for the Women in Innovation Award in 2022. I was the only nominee from Ireland among 400 candidates, so it was a super proud moment for me.

In a rapidly evolving industry, how do you stay up to date on all the latest trends and technologies? 

I stay updated by reading newsletters, attending conferences and webinars, and participating in professional groups. I truly believe in lifelong learning and constantly enrol in training programs and online courses. I also encourage my team to explore new testing tools and methods, giving them the time and resources to find innovative solutions. This means that between us, we are always up to date on the latest technologies. 

Is there anything that surprised you about your role?

One of the unexpected qualities I have developed in my role at Sogeti is the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, delivering them successfully with quality while balancing other Sogeti activities.

Sogeti has really afforded me the opportunity to grow. My go-to person at Sogeti Ireland is my line manager, Jason Cassidy, who has been a mentor and source of inspiration and has been invaluable to my growth and success. Marie O’Connor has also been a huge inspiration to me; her down-to-earth nature, combined with her exceptional ability to handle her job with grace and skill, is something I think everyone could learn from. 

Describe Sogeti in three words 

Diverse, flexible, and impactful. 

I really value the opportunity to grow my career in a supportive environment that fosters personal development and contributes to a sustainable, inclusive future.