Systems & Processes for Freelance Game Producer
The path towards better systems and processes in your Freelance Game Producer role starts with mapping out your most important business processes. Being able to see your business processes laid out visually helps you to collaborate with your team on how to improve and grow. By repeating this collaboration process, you’ll develop a culture of continuous improvement that leads to a growing business and streamlined systems and processes that increase customer & staff experience.
To help you start mapping out your processes, we’ve developed a sample flow for a Freelance Game Producer Workflow Map that you can use with your team to start clarifying your processes and then run Business Experiments so you can build a better business.
Workflow Map For A Freelance Game Producer
1. Initial consultation: Meet with the client to discuss their game development needs, goals, and budget.
2. Project scoping: Define the scope of the game project, including features, platforms, and timeline.
3. Concept development: Collaborate with the client to create a game concept, including gameplay mechanics, art style, and storyline.
4. Prototyping: Build a basic version of the game to test and validate the concept, ensuring it meets the client’s expectations.
5. Production: Develop the game, including coding, designing levels, creating assets, and implementing features.
6. Quality assurance: Conduct thorough testing to identify and fix any bugs or issues in the game.
7. Client feedback and iteration: Gather feedback from the client and make necessary adjustments to improve the game based on their input.
8. Release preparation: Prepare the game for launch, including finalizing assets, optimizing performance, and ensuring compatibility across platforms.
9. Launch and distribution: Coordinate the release of the game on various platforms, such as app stores or online marketplaces.
10. Post-launch support: Provide ongoing support and updates to the game, addressing any issues that arise and implementing new features or improvements based on user feedback
Business Growth & Improvement Experiments
1. Name: Implement Agile Project Management Methodology
Description: Adopting an Agile approach to project management, such as Scrum or Kanban, to streamline the game development process. This involves breaking down tasks into smaller, manageable chunks, setting clear priorities, and fostering collaboration among team members.
Expected Outcome: Increased productivity, improved communication, faster delivery of game milestones, and enhanced adaptability to changes in project requirements.
2. Name: Conduct User Testing Sessions
Description: Organize user testing sessions with a diverse group of gamers to gather feedback on game prototypes or early versions. This involves observing and collecting data on user interactions, preferences, and pain points.
Expected Outcome: Identification of potential improvements, better understanding of user needs and preferences, and the ability to make informed design decisions to enhance the overall gaming experience.
3. Name: Establish Strategic Partnerships
Description: Seek out potential strategic partnerships with other game developers, publishers, or industry influencers to expand the network and reach of the freelance game production business. This involves attending industry events, networking, and reaching out to potential partners.
Expected Outcome: Increased exposure, access to new markets, potential collaborations on larger projects, and enhanced credibility within the gaming industry.
4. Name: Develop a Comprehensive Marketing Strategy
Description: Create a well-defined marketing strategy that includes online and offline channels to promote the freelance game production services. This involves identifying target audiences, crafting compelling messaging, utilizing social media platforms, and exploring advertising opportunities.
Expected Outcome: Increased brand awareness, a steady flow of new clients, improved conversion rates, and a stronger online presence.
5. Name: Invest in Professional Development
Description: Allocate time and resources to continuously learn and improve skills related to game production, project management, and industry trends. This involves attending workshops, online courses, conferences, or joining professional associations.
Expected Outcome: Enhanced expertise, staying up-to-date with industry advancements, improved credibility, and the ability to offer cutting-edge solutions to clients.
6. Name: Automate Administrative Tasks
Description: Identify repetitive administrative tasks, such as invoicing, time tracking, or project documentation, and explore automation tools or software solutions to streamline these processes.
Expected Outcome: Increased efficiency, time savings, reduced errors, and the ability to focus more on core game production tasks.
7. Name: Offer Additional Services or Packages
Description: Assess the market demand and consider expanding the range of services offered, such as game design consulting, quality assurance testing, or post-launch support. Alternatively, create bundled packages that provide clients with a comprehensive solution.
Expected Outcome: Diversification of revenue streams, increased client satisfaction, potential for upselling, and a competitive edge in the market.
8. Name: Improve Communication and Collaboration Tools
Description: Evaluate the existing communication and collaboration tools used within the freelance game production business and explore more efficient alternatives. This may include project management software, team messaging platforms, or file-sharing solutions.
Expected Outcome: Enhanced team collaboration, improved transparency, streamlined communication, and increased productivity.
9. Name: Develop a Referral Program
Description: Create a referral program that incentivizes existing clients or industry contacts to refer new clients to the freelance game production business. This can involve offering discounts, rewards, or exclusive benefits for successful referrals.
Expected Outcome: Increased client acquisition, expanded network, improved client loyalty, and a cost-effective marketing strategy.
10. Name: Conduct Competitive Analysis
Description: Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of competitors in the freelance game production industry. This involves researching their services, pricing, marketing strategies, and client feedback.
Expected Outcome: Identification of unique selling points, differentiation strategies, potential areas for improvement, and the ability to position the business more effectively in the market
What Next?
The above map and experiments are just a basic outline that you can use to get started on your path towards business improvement. If you’d like custom experiments with the highest ROI, would like to work on multiple workflows in your business (for clients/customers, HR/staff and others) or need someone to help you implement business improvement strategies & software, get in touch to find out whether working with a workflow coach could help fast-track your progress.