This report presents an exploratory study which investigates the critical success factors for the front end innovation process. An innovation challenge being experienced by Philips Healthcare is tackled by looking closer into the front end process of the company. Based on a literature review and a comprehensive case study; the theoretical and practical views are explored and evaluated. A critical success factors methodology is generated and used to assess the front end innovation process. Eight critical success factors are identified using a contextual innovation management approach. A simple self-assessment tool is introduced to incorporate CSFs in the front end innovation process. The findings are used to provide recommendations to Philips Healthcare to improve its front end innovation process. The contextual CSF methodology and self-assessment tool proposed in this study can also be adopted and used for different settings