Addressing poverty and injustice is complex. It is just not enough with engagement, professionalism or financial resources. Ownership and political will is absolutely critical. A recent observation in evaluations and Sida’s Annual report reveals that the poverty perspective is not sufficiently spelled out. With the mandate of creating conditions for poor people to improve their own living conditions – we have to do better. Without a solid understanding and analysis of a particular situation that development cooperation sets out to modify, there is a real risk of failure. Or, turned around, a well understood context paves the way for choices of initiatives that lead to a favorable change for people living in poverty. Sida has gained experiences of making such power analysis. In 2002 Sida initiated the first studies how power operates in a society at different, formal and informal, levels of society. The method has evolved through several experiences, in different contexts, and proven a good tool for understanding and navigation between options. It gives Sida more information for decision-making but it can also propel change in its own right.