How to Evaluate RAG Systems (Metrics That Actually Matter)

Description

You can build a RAG system—but how do you know if it’s actually working? In this video, we break down how to evaluate retrieval-augmented generation systems in production. Instead of relying on a single metric, we look at evaluation as a system across three layers: retrieval, answer quality, and system behavior. Topics covered: - Why evaluating RAG systems is hard - What to measure: retrieval, answer, and system layers - How to evaluate retrieval quality and recall - How to assess answer correctness and grounding - How to evaluate latency, consistency, and failure handling If you're building or operating RAG systems, this gives you a practical framework for measuring and improving performance. Code & diagrams: https://github.com/signaltosystem/rag-architecture-patterns Disclosure: This video uses AI-assisted tools for narration and visuals. Content is reviewed and curated. This channel focuses on production-grade AI system design.