Final answer:
The answer to the student's question is 'stand-alone' principle. This principle is used in capital budgeting to evaluate the financial viability of a project based on its own cash flows as if it were a separate entity.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the stand-alone principle, once the incremental cash flows from a project have been identified, the project can be viewed as a "minifirm." This principle suggests that the project's economic viability can be assessed independently of the parent company's cash flows, considering only the project's costs and revenues.
It's a foundational concept in capital budgeting, allowing analysts to focus on a project's direct financial impact without being confounded by the broader company operations.