Mapping the DSO Journey: A Sample Roadmap (2/3)

In my previous blog, I discussed a DSO Maturity Assessment Framework, which helps utilities identify their current operational stage and define where they want to be in the future. In this follow-up, I would like to share a sample roadmap—one that translates those maturity insights into practical next steps.

When conducting such an assessment, utilities generally define:

• Their current state (e.g., basic data collection, limited DER management),
• Their desired future state across short-, medium-, and long-term horizons,
• The maturity levels they aim to achieve in each key area.

From there, the next move is to build a roadmap that fits your specific corporate strategies, regulatory environment, and resource availability. The diagram I’m sharing here offers an example of how a roadmap might group relevant components under each domain. I chose not to attach specific dates to each step; that part depends on each utility’s unique situation.

1. Data Collection and Monitoring (Blue)

This domain covers the essential data-related aspects—like long-term and short-term forecasting, collecting and sharing grid data, establishing an interoperability framework, and enhancing network visibility. It also involves long-term planning informed by accurate data. Tying these components together helps ensure that operators have real-time insights for both day-to-day decisions and future investment strategies.

2. DER Management (Yellow)

Here, the focus is on connecting and managing DER assets effectively, maintaining an accurate register of all DERs, and developing a DSO investment toolkit to guide where (and how) to deploy new grid assets or non-wires alternatives. This set of components is crucial for any utility dealing with growing volumes of solar, storage, and other distributed technologies.

3. Market Engagement (Dark Gray)

This area relates to flexible market development, engaging aggregators or retailers, and assessing future energy scenarios for volatility or high DER growth. It also addresses how to foster customer participation and flexibility. Having the right market mechanisms (and relationships) allows DSOs to harness DERs for grid stability, rather than treating them only as “challenges.”

4. Network Operation (Teal)

Under this domain, utilities focus on constraints engines to dynamically manage grid limits, technoeconomic assessments of asset solutions, and optimizing DER allocation. Leveraging AI for predictive operations and incorporating market dispatch tools can greatly enhance real-time decision-making. These components collectively help DSOs improve reliability, reduce costs, and get more value out of existing infrastructure.

5. Network Services and Settlement (Gray)

This set of components includes operational decision-making frameworks, T&D coordination, procurement of network services, and validation/settlement processes. It also involves implementing Dynamic Operating Envelopes (DOE)—shifting from rigid, static limits to more adaptable, data-informed constraints. Streamlined settlement processes and standardized contracting improve trust and participation in flexibility markets.

6. Security and Contingency Planning (Dark Blue)

With more DERs and digital systems come new security considerations. This domain focuses on system security, grid resilience, adaptation planning, and managing flexibility contracting in a secure way. The goal is to maintain resilience against both cyber and physical threats, ensuring the grid remains reliable even under stress.

7. Business Governance and Operation (Yellow)

Finally, no DSO roadmap is complete without discussing DSO governance to maintain transparency and neutrality, promote stakeholder collaboration, and uphold regulatory compliance. Each of these components ensures that all market participants—large and small—can trust the rules, data, and decision-making processes that guide grid and market operations.

Closing Thoughts

A maturity assessment helps clarify where you stand and where you want to go. Translating those insights into a custom roadmap is the next logical step: one that outlines the components you’ll tackle and in what order. While my sample roadmap doesn’t attach hard timelines, it highlights the key groupings under each domain—offering a structure you can adapt to your own strategic needs and regulatory realities.

I hope this provides a practical glimpse of how to move from conceptual maturity levels to a coherent plan of action. If you have any insights or experiences to share—especially around prioritizing one domain over another—I’d love to hear your perspective. Ultimately, each utility must decide which path best aligns with its objectives, but collaboration and knowledge-sharing can help everyone advance toward a more flexible, secure, and modern distribution system.

Disclaimer: The content of this blog post is based on my personal understanding and professional experience in the utility industry. It is intended for informational and discussion purposes only. I also want to acknowledge the incredible work by DSOs across the UK, EU, and Australia—whose project reports I’ve pored over to deepen my understanding, even if I haven’t logged all those rich references.