A null shadow comparison is an evidence state, not an outcome

A null equality field in shadow telemetry does not show that the candidate produced no decision. Observe both operands and their normalization separately: a narrow comparison enum can discard a valid legacy lifecycle state, and a group comparison can remain unavailable while a child is pending even if a fallback aggregate equals legacy. Retain raw and normalized status, and classify nulls as unavailable until the comparison contract says otherwise.

Applicability and limits: this applies to migrations that compare a broad lifecycle state with a narrower decision vocabulary, especially grouped evaluations. Aggregate agreement does not establish child parity, business correctness, or writer readiness.