Projects that management must execute without any discretion are referred to as _____ projects.

Mandatory projects are those that management must execute without any discretion. These projects are often born from legal requirements, regulatory obligations, or critical operational needs that cannot be ignored. For instance, a company may be required by law to implement certain safety measures or comply with environmental regulations, necessitating immediate action.

The designation as mandatory indicates that there are consequences tied to the failure of completing these projects on time, which could range from legal penalties to loss of operational capability. This distinguishes them from discretionary projects, which are typically optional and chosen based on potential benefits and resource availability. Understanding this distinction is crucial for project prioritization and resource allocation within an organization.