When it comes to establishing guidelines and regulations, there are many synonyms for "making the rules." Some common alternatives include "setting the standards," "establishing protocol," "regulating," "prescribing," "mandating," "dictating," "governing," "enacting," and "formulating." Additionally, there are more specific terms for creating rules in certain contexts, such as "legislating" for creating laws or "codifying" for consolidating existing laws. Ultimately, the choice of synonym depends on the specific context and tone desired, but all of these words convey the idea of establishing guidelines and authority over a particular domain.