I have the task of managing an annual US$30M technology R&D investment
across a multi national engineering conglomerate and would like to
understand
A] who/where are the best in class practitioners in this field
(companies and people),
B] why they are the best and 
C] the business processes and tools that they utilize.

I have two distinct metrics I am trying to maximize
1] Portfolio return or NPV on risk adjusted investment of R&D funds.
2] Project throughput maximization with constrained people resources

The answer will provide me with a starting point for learning more
about what is considered best in class and companies/ people I can
telephone and potentially visit.