PLSpredict in SmartPLS: Step-by-Step | Q² Predict, RMSE & MAE Explained

Does a high R² mean your model predicts well? Learn how PLSpredict in SmartPLS assesses predictive performance beyond the estimation sample. This step-by-step video explains the difference between explaining relationships and predicting outcomes in PLS-SEM. Follow the PLSpredict workflow and understand how holdout samples help assess out-of-sample prediction. Learn how to interpret Q² predict and compare prediction errors using RMSE and MAE. Understand how benchmark comparisons support your assessment of predictive performance. The video also examines reasons for weak prediction, including measurement specification problems, missing predictors, and overfitting. Use these explanations to review your model and justify analytical decisions in dissertations and research papers. Which PLSpredict result challenges you most? Share your question in the comments.