The Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) framework enhances generative models by incorporating external knowledge retrieval to ground outputs in factual data, thereby improving consistency and reducing hallucinations. The critical factor lies in optimizing the retrieval component to select documents with maximal semantic relevance, often using techniques like dense vector embeddings (e.g., via BERT or similar encoders) and similarity metrics such as cosine similarity. This ensures that the generator receives contextually precise information, minimizing irrelevant or misleading inputs that could lead to inconsistent outputs. For instance, in question-answering systems, prioritizing high-similarity documents allows the model to reference verified sources directly, boosting accuracy. Other approaches, like ensembles or redundancy checks, are supplementary but less foundational than effective retrieval tuning, which directly impacts the quality of augmented context. In SDLC, integrating RAG with fine-tuned retrieval accelerates development cycles by enabling modular updates without full model retraining. Security benefits include tracing outputs to sources for auditability, aligning with responsible AI practices. This method scales well for large knowledge bases, making it essential for production-grade applications where factual integrity is paramount. Exact extract: "Tuning the retrieval model to prioritize documents with the highest semantic similarity is the most critical factor for improving factual consistency in RAG-generated outputs, as it ensures relevant context is provided to the generator." (Reference: Cyber Security for AI by SISA Study Guide, Section on RAG Frameworks in SDLC Efficiency, Page 95-98).