1. A method of controlling a vehicle powertrain, the method comprising: performing the following steps within a controller of the vehicle powertrain: determining that a performance feature associated with the powertrain is outside of a desired performance range; identifying a plurality of operation parameters associated with the powertrain having a relationship to the performance feature; determining an influence that each identified operation parameter has on the performance feature; prioritizing adjusting one of the identified operation parameters having a first influence over another identified operation parameter with a second, lower influence; and automatically adjusting at least one of the identified operation parameters by adjusting the operation of an actuator or component of the vehicle powertrain that is associated with the at least one identified operation parameter to thereby bring the performance feature closer to the desired performance range.