A powertrain system is configured to transfer torque to an output member. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes prioritizing a plurality of system torque constraint parameters. The system torque constraint parameters are sequentially applied in an order of descending priority. A feasible state for each of the sequentially applied system torque constraint parameters is determined. A solution set including the feasible states for all the sequentially applied system torque constraint parameters is determined, and employed to control operation of the powertrain system in response to an output torque request.