One skill is to recognize that a position "must" have a tactic to realize ur advantage. Masters have said that is generally easy -- that when they know what they have should be a winning position, they will figure out a way (s) to win. Getting there is another skill. That is what you are asking.
That comes with a great deal of study and experience ( my opinion ) on how to best maximize your piece placement.......from precise openings and great middle game strategems.
Many people who wish to pursue that skill must know what openings they wish to concentrate on, and try to learn all major middle game strategies.
For instance if I were to play the White side of the Ruy Lopez Exchange Variation, I would study endings for the resulting pawn structure edge on the Q-side. True, that's not tactics; however..........
One can hardly key "tactics" on the internet without recieving a ton of web sites giving advice and/or practice areas to help you recognize opportunities for tactical moves. Many are a great help, but I am looking for something a little different.
Does anyone have ideas or know of a place which would go beyond the concept of "recognizing" an opportunity and help you "create" the opportunity? Perhaps the difference is too subtle, but it seems to me that there aren't nice setup tactical situations that often. I need to learn how to create them when they aren't just sitting there waiting for me!