Abstract: A machine-implemented method of controlling, through software, the collection of data relating to the performance of a data processing system, where the data is gathered by hardware monitoring equipment and/or software monitoring methods whereby a simultaneous or separate hardware/software view of system and application program activity is obtainable. The method provides for immediate feedback of all hardware and software collected data into main memory for automatic, dynamic reconfiguration/modification of the system to improve operating efficiency. Specific examples of dynamic reconfiguration/modification include a method for maximizing the simultaneous utilization of processor/storage, i.e., maximizing CPU/channel overlap, maximizing the transfer of data over a channel, maximizing the number of data requests to a subsystem, and minimizing the time for an I/O request to be stacked in a queue.