Decision Framework: Prompt, RAG or Fine-Tuning

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A diagnostic approach to LLM improvements: classify why answers fail as instruction, knowledge or behaviour problems, then apply the smallest change, whether a better prompt, retrieval or fine-tuning, and re-test after every change.

A little perspective. A lot of possibility.30 articles · Arabic & English

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Branching diagram: Failure, Instructions, Knowledge, Behavior.

AI engineering29 Jan 2026

Fine-Tuning, RAG or Prompt Engineering? Diagnose the Failure First

Choose between prompt engineering, RAG and fine-tuning by diagnosing why answers fail: unclear instructions, missing knowledge or a consistent behavior problem. Then apply the smallest change that fixes the measured failure.

Decision Framework

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Fine-Tuning, RAG or Prompt Engineering? Diagnose the Failure First