Final answer:
The system development step that immediately precedes the structured system design step is structured systems analysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The system development step that immediately precedes the structured system design step is structured systems analysis. In the system development life cycle, structured systems analysis focuses on gathering and documenting requirements, analyzing the current system, and identifying areas for improvement. This step helps to understand the existing system and lay the foundation for the design phase where the structure and components of the new system are defined.