The rules of governance can be either formal or informal

Formal governance rules include such things as:

constitutions, written codes and laws, regulations, manuals, charters, policies, strategic plans, business codes, performance appraisal criteria, dispute resolution processes, and formally adopted governing procedures.

Informal governance rules include such things as:

the shared cultural understandings within a group about how authority should be organised and used, people’s shared values, beliefs and customs, behavioural standards and taboos, gender norms, moral stories, kinship rules, ceremonial rules.