A business development toolkit designed for Quebec’s video game studios. It brings together practical insights and reliable resources to help studios understand the key challenges of building and growing a business, and know where to find additional guidance.
The Game Studio Toolkit
1.3 Minimum Viable Governance
Minimum Viable Governance
In a small studio, governance is primarily about clarifying who makes decisions, in what capacity, and how important decisions are made and documented.
The same person may be a shareholder, a board director, a member of management, and the person responsible for a specific operational area. These roles can overlap, but they carry different responsibilities and levels of authority.
The goal is not to establish a complex organizational structure. It is to put enough structure in place for the team to make decisions effectively, avoid unclear responsibilities, and maintain a record of decisions that affect the business.
Key Takeaways
- Being a shareholder, a board director, a member of management, or an operational lead involves different responsibilities, even when one person holds several of these roles.
- Not every decision needs to be made collectively. Small teams benefit from clearly defining who has final decision-making authority in each key area.
- Important business decisions should be traceable. Effective governance relies as much on clear responsibilities as it does on proper documentation.
Why It Matters
In the early stages, it is normal for founders to take on a bit of everything.
The problem arises when “everyone is involved” turns into “no one really knows who makes the final decision.”
A disagreement over a game feature can slow down production. A disagreement over hiring, budgets, major contracts, or a publishing offer can have much broader consequences for the business.
Minimum viable governance helps establish which decisions can be made quickly by one person, which require collective discussion, and which need to be documented more formally.
This allows the studio to maintain a flexible way of working while ensuring clarity around who makes decisions, who has the authority to commit the company, and how important decisions can be tracked.
Ressources
La Guilde Service Partners Who Can Help
SIXØCINQ supports businesses and organizations in the creative and cultural industries with governance, management, and corporate structuring. The firm can help clarify roles and responsibilities, establish decision-making processes, and prepare the documents needed to manage the business.
Additional Resources
Corporations Canada | Directors and Officers
An official resource explaining the distinction between shareholders, board directors, and corporate officers. It also outlines directors’ responsibilities and provides examples of decisions that fall under the authority of the board or shareholders.
BDC | The Science and Art of Good Governance
A guide for businesses looking to establish governance practices suited to their size and adapt them as they grow. It covers board responsibilities, different governance structures, and practical approaches to supporting clearer decision-making.