This company spent $140M annually on R&D across twelve programs. Standard metrics showed reasonable progress, but returns weren't materializing. A senior analyst decided to rebuild the entire portfolio analysis from first principles.

Strengths of Independent Review

Working alone for two months, the analyst mapped actual spending against probability-adjusted returns for each program. She discovered that three programs consumed 60% of the budget but had validation timelines extending beyond patent protection periods. The math was brutal but clear. Her introvert nature suited the work perfectly: no politics, no pressure to reach predetermined conclusions, just cold financial reality. The depth of analysis would have been impossible in a collaborative environment with constant interruptions.

Weaknesses in Execution

The analysis lacked scientific context that researchers could have provided. Some programs dismissed as financially unviable had strategic value for future pipelines. Working in isolation meant missing these connections. The final presentation was also dense and technical, alienating key decision-makers who needed simpler frameworks to act on the findings.