Diskresjonell

Diskresjonell is an adjective used in Norwegian and other Scandinavian languages to describe decisions or actions made at the discretion of an individual or authority rather than strictly by prescriptive rules. The term derives from the concept of discretion, emphasizing judgement, flexibility, and situational assessment. It is commonly applied in legal, administrative, financial, and governmental contexts to distinguish discretionary authority from rule-based or mandatory requirements.

In finance, diskresjonell forvaltning, or discretionary management, refers to the arrangement where an asset manager makes buy and sell decisions on behalf of a client within predefined mandate guidelines. The client delegates day-to-day investment choices to the manager, seeking professional judgement and responsiveness to market conditions. This approach offers flexibility and efficiency but requires clear fiduciary duty, risk controls, and ongoing oversight to align decisions with the client’s objectives and risk tolerance.

In budgeting and public policy, diskresjonære bevilgninger describe spending that is not mandated by law or entitlements but allocated through annual appropriations. Such discretionary spending allows governments to prioritise programmes and respond to changing priorities, yet it is subject to political process and budget constraints, unlike mandatory or formula-driven expenditures.

Related concepts include discretion, discretionary authority, and discretionary spending. The term underscores the balance between professional judgement and established rules, highlighting scenarios where flexibility is essential but must be managed transparently and responsibly.