A powertrain system includes a transmission device (10) operative to transfer power between an input member (12) and a plurality of torque machines (56,72) and an output member (64). The torque machines (56,72) are connected to an energy storage device (74) and the transmission device (10) is operative in one of a plurality of operating range states. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes monitoring available power from the energy storage device (74), determining system constraints, determining constraints on an output torque to the output member (64) based upon the system constraints and the available power from the energy storage device (74), determining an operator torque request, determining an output torque command based upon the constraints on the output torque and the operator torque request, and determining preferred torque commands for each of the torque machines (56,72) based upon the output torque command.