A computer based method for increasing the robustness of a multivariable controller (23, 200) due to over reaction to unmeasured disturbance, model uncertainty and near colinearity while maintaining a process system to a specified optimal level, the method comprising: receiving a user specified value for a trade-off factor (Delta J) representing the tolerance for the process system operating beneath a calculated optimal economic objective function for a current cycle of the multivariable controller; calculating targets (221, 222) for process manipulated and controlled variables using different objective functions, wherein the objective functions for calculating the targets (221, 222) for process manipulated and controlled variables is one of: a function for economic optimization (min cost) and a function for constraint control (min move); selecting the calculated target to be used based on the trade-off factor (Delta J), wherein selecting the calculated target to be used based on the trade-off factor (Delta J) further includes: selecting the target calculated from the economic optimization (min cost) function if the incremental change in min cost objective function from the constraint control (min move) function exceeds the trade-off factor, otherwise, selecting the target calculated from the constraint control (min move) function; generating a dynamic move plan (240, 309) from the selected target, the dynamic move plan (240, 309) complying with required process constraints; performing one or more of said receiving, calculating, selecting, and generating; implementing the dynamic move plan (240, 309) in the multivariable controller (23, 222); and repeating the performing and implementing until meeting a predetermined termination criteria. receiving a user specified value for a trade-off factor (Delta J) representing the tolerance for the process system operating beneath a calculated optimal economic objective function for a current cycle of the multivariable controller; calculating targets (221, 222) for process manipulated and controlled variables using different objective functions, wherein the objective functions for calculating the targets (221, 222) for process manipulated and controlled variables is one of: a function for economic optimization (min cost) and a function for constraint control (min move); selecting the calculated target to be used based on the trade-off factor (Delta J), wherein selecting the calculated target to be used based on the trade-off factor (Delta J) further includes: selecting the target calculated from the economic optimization (min cost) function if the incremental change in min cost objective function from the constraint control (min move) function exceeds the trade-off factor, otherwise, selecting the target calculated from the constraint control (min move) function; generating a dynamic move plan (240, 309) from the selected target, the dynamic move plan (240, 309) complying with required process constraints; performing one or more of said receiving, calculating, selecting, and generating; implementing the dynamic move plan (240, 309) in the multivariable controller (23, 222); and repeating the performing and implementing until meeting a predetermined termination criteria.