(1) The problem background and descriiption.
(2) Why is it interesting to study it and what the end goal is?
(3) If data is needed in this study, where can you obtain the data?

Describe an operations-related problem, present data and facts, apply the methods/tools and show how it can be solved.
Avoid the very popular press or a shallow
source.
Rather, look for a serious professional article, such as a financial magazine (Wall Street Journal, New York Times, BusinessWeek), an economics magazine, or a trade magazine (Sloan Management Review, Supply Chain Management Review, Inbound Logistics, etc.).