GUIDELINES FOR PHD THESIS PROPOSAL

 - A clear formulation of the research question.
 - An identification of the significant problems in the field of research.
 - An outline of the current knowledge of the problem domain, as well as
   the state of existing solutions.
 - A presentation of any preliminary ideas, the proposed approach and the
   results achieved so far.
 - A sketch of the applied research methodology.
 - A description of the Ph.D. project's contribution to the problem solution.
 - A discussion of how the suggested solution is different, new, or better
   as compared to existing approaches to the problem.

(from the ECTEL Doctoral Consortium 2006, http://www.ectel06.org)