You control when Shatter starts by animating the "Force 1" properties. By default, Shatter starts at the layer pinpoint. If you want it to start later, set the size value to zero one frame before you want Shatter to start, then move a few frames and make the size big enough to break the whole layer. The Strength setting changes how hard the Force hits the layer.
You can also animate the Force 1 position, use another layer as a shatter map, or add "Force 2" to change how the layer breaks up.
Experiment with the "Physics" properties if you want the particles to move slower or in a different direction. Increasing viscosity slows down the speed of the particles. Gravity changes how fast they accelerate in the "Gravity Direction."
You can even add a Comp Camera to fly through the particles. Experiment with all the settings. You can create just about any style of three-dimensional destruction of a layer you want.