DSM process evaluation: A guidebook to current practice

Process evaluations can help utilities to identify problems, fine-tune implementation efforts, and maximize the strategic benefits of demand-side management (DSM) programs. The guidebook is designed to help utilities plan, conduct, and use the results of process evaluations of DSM programs. In particular, this guidebook emphasizes the need for program-specific evaluations that differ in emphasis and approach. The project team first worked with a focus group of US utility evaluation professionals to determine process evaluation issues requiring particular attention. Next, they developed a draft based on the results of focus group discussions and their personal knowledge of process evaluation practices among utilities with active DSM programs. EPRI's DSM evaluation advisory committee and a number of other experts in DSM process evaluation reviewed the draft report.