These are icons and symbols which are optional for mapping and development of present and future state VSM. They include
| Icon | Name | Description |
 | Production Kanban | This is a visual signal representing a trigger of production of a specific number of parts. |
 | Batch Kanban | This indicates batch processing. |
 | Batch Withdrawal Kanban | This is a card or device that instructs a handler or operator to withdraw items via batch processing from a supermarket. |
 | Withdrawal Kanban | This is a card or device that instructs a handler or operator to withdraw items from a supermarket. |
 | Database | A database. |
 | Supermarket | This is an inventory “supermarket” that contains some inventory available to downstream customers enabling them to select what they need. The next process or customer would pull from this inventory. |
 | FIFO Lane | This represents a First In, First Out Sequence Flow. |
 | Inventory/In-box | An in-box is an information queue. It indicates inventory. Inventory is usually paperwork or electronic files. If there is a cost ($ value) listed below the symbol, it represents the scheduling priority. Inventory examples Forms in people’s in- boxes Work stored in e-mails (message, requests for information, files) Design projects in queue |
 | Operator | This is the symbol for a worker. It is added to a process box to indicate a worker completes some or all of the process tasks. |
 | Multiple Operators | This symbol and number represents the number of workers involved. Percentage of time to perform the specific process may be noted in parentheses to the right of the number of workers. |
 | Load Leveling | It batches kanbans to level mix or volume. |
 | Phone | This represents collecting information via telephone. |
 | Kaizen Burst | This highlights improvement needs at a specific process that is critical to achieving the future state map. |
 | Go See Scheduling | Glasses represent collecting information visually. It can also indicate informal Scheduling. |
 | Kanban Post | This represents a location for kanban signal pickup. |
 | Pull Arrow | This indicates that a customer or process pulls from a previous process. |
 | Safety/Buffer Stock | This is an inventory stock reserved for specific circumstances. |
 | Sequenced Pull Ball | It represents a pull system that gives instruction to other processes to produce a predetermined type and quantity of product without using a supermarket. |
 | Signal Kanban | It is used to alert when the inventory levels in the supermarket between two processes drops to a trigger or minimum point. |
 | Timeline Segment | A timeline segment shows value-added times and non-value-added times. Value-added times are cycle processing times, and non-value-added times are wait times. |
 | Clock | A clock icon indicates a delay or timing constraints. |
 | Rework | This indicates multiple iterations or a need for rework. |
