An essential component to the management of any process is the measurement of key parameters, used to monitor, control, and provide the feedback necessary for improvement. This paper discusses how data collection and analysis can provide a better understanding of the blasting process, as well as additional control and improved outcomes.The drill and blast process involves the generation and use of information at a number of levels. Comparison of historical parameters and results provides a starting point for the development of ongoing blast designs and a baseline against which future results can be compared. The collection of data during implementation provides a quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) function where potential defects (such as underdrilled or over-charged holes) can be rectified prior to firing. Actual quantities and production rates allow the development of realistic plans and schedules, rather than using inaccurate estimates and targets that lead to unscheduled changes to equipment paths. Overthe past several years there have been a number of technological advances in data collection technology. Drill monitoring instrumentation on blasthole drills provides location information and feedback on rock properties as drilling occurs. Hand held data logger' technology has also overcome the challenges of working on the bench, such that blasthole measurements can be collected and forwarded directly to the explosive truck. Mine sites are becoming wireless networkenabled allowing the seamless data transfer from the field back to the office, in near real time, as that information is collected. Great strides have also been made in the development of drill and blast software systems which are more user friendly, and yet provide far greater capability to manage the quantity of data generated. The blasting process is critical to the overall mining process and the delivery of a successful blast outcome requires that the blasting process be in control'. The measurement of key parameters can provide the data with which to measure and maintain control of blasting, and allows the validation of performance improvement measures and identification of improvement opportunities.