The Office of Planning, Budget, and Analysis (PBA) takes an active role in measuring and monitoring the performance and conducting evaluations of EERE's major programs. The focus of these activities is primarily retrospective — that is, they look back to assess whether planned technical goals were met, and commercialization and market results achieved.
Performance Measurement 
Performance measurement tracks measurable results against a planned results timeline — quarterly milestones, annual technical targets, etc. — or accomplishment of defined procedural steps or milestones. The timeframe of these metrics might persist over several years, determining whether a mid-term goal has been achieved. Performance measurement helps to answer the question: "Did you achieve what you said you would achieve?" Tools developed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Department of Energy (DOE), such as the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) and the Department of Energy (DOE) Joule Performance Measurement Tracking System, fall into this category. Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) goals are treated as performance metrics within the Department of Energy (DOE) budget justifications. However, success in meeting them will most likely be part of a future program evaluation.
Program Evaluation
Program evaluation includes systematic studies, conducted periodically, to assess how well a Research and Development and Deployment (RD&D) program is achieving its intended goals. Program evaluation includes periodic or special-purpose reviews of a program's progress and plans, as well as commissioned special-purpose retrospective assessments of RD&D knowledge and market benefits and cost effectiveness over a span of at least a couple of years. Program evaluation activities primarily have a retrospective focus, although planned activities are also sometimes evaluated.
If you are interested in estimates of future benefits of EERE programs please visit Program Benefits Analysis.