How to Build RAG Systems - 5-Step Framework

Learn to build effective Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) systems through a practical 5-step framework that addresses common implementation pitfalls. Discover what RAG is and understand the key problems with typical implementations before diving into the systematic approach. Start by scoping your Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to define clear objectives and constraints for your RAG system. Create a golden dataset that serves as your ground truth for evaluation and testing purposes. Build your initial retrieval system (v0) to establish the foundation for document retrieval and information extraction. Develop your first RAG system iteration that combines retrieval with generation capabilities. Conduct systematic experiments to evaluate and improve your system's performance using proper metrics and methodologies. Access practical example code and a GitHub repository to implement the concepts covered, along with references to additional resources for deeper learning about LLM evaluation and RAG system optimization.